Neil Turton and Tom Fender, MAG charity cycle

Balkans the target for MAG cyclists in 2022

Wholesale charity cyclists will take to the Balkans this summer for their latest fundraising challenge.

Grocery wholesale and convenience retail colleagues will saddle up to complete a six-day cycle to raise money for landmine clearance charity, Mines Advisory Group (MAG).

The 2022 edition will return as an overseas trip and will see cyclists weave across the Western Balkans, starting in Dubrovnik in Croatia and finishing in Bosnian capital Sarajevo.

Bike Bosnia will begin on 10 June and end on 15 June and will look to add to the £730,000 that have been collected by the previous five rides have raised since the group came together in 2015.

“The devastating conflict in the Western Balkans ended in 1995,” said TWC Development Director, Tom Fender, who co-founded the group with Sugro Managing Director Neil Sugro.

“The war claimed an estimated 100,000 lives and displaced another 2.2 million people. Many people will recall seeing the horrific images on the news.

“Bike Bosnia will allow riders to learn more about the deadly legacy of the war — the most deadly European conflict since World War II — while raising funds for a fantastic cause.”

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, last year’s challenge consisted of a series of UK-based legs, but Turton is delighted to be heading overseas again this year.

“After a challenging 2021, we are delighted to be able to return to an international bike ride for 2022,” Turton added.

“We managed to hold seven individual day rides in the UK last year, which were fantastic, but we’re excited to head overseas again, to one of the countries where MAG is making a huge difference to the people living there.”

Places are still available for the 2022 ride, with anybody interested asked to get in touch with Fender or Turton, or email Sarah Tavener at Sarah.tavener@maginternational.org

Bike Bosnia charity fundraising MAGs Neil Turton Sugro Tom Fender TWC