Words & photos: Diane Sullivan
M&S colleagues at Owlcotes in Pudsey are going the extra mile today (Friday, 7 March) to support Leeds Women’s Aid and are aiming to cycle 200 miles during an in-store Bike-A-Thon.
The fundraiser will support local women and children and mark International Women’s Day, which is held on Saturday, 8 March 2025.
M&S Owlcotes manager Claire Smith is confident that the 28 colleagues who signed up for the event will achieve the 200-mile target – and to lead the way Claire was first on the bike to set an impressive early morning target.
Claire said: “We do a lot to support our local community here at M&S and each year we support a different charity that is chosen by colleagues.”
The Bike-A-Thon runs until 6pm today to raise funds for independent charity Leeds Women’s Aid, and support women to live safely and free of domestic violence and abuse.
Harriet Eggeling Fundraising Officer at Leeds Women’s Aid said: “M&S are really supportive of the charity and this is really appreciated at a time when the for demand for domestic violence and abuse services is increasing.
“Bike-A- Thon is a great idea and fits really well with this year’s International Women’s Day theme of Accelerating Action.”
There is certainly lots of action planned throughout the day to achieve the 200-mile target and colleague Ellie Newsome welcomed the challenge as the second Bike-A-Thon rider of the day!
Mo Alt Lahcen will be going the extra mile by completing a 30-minute stint on the bike while he is fasting and, along with other colleagues, sees this as a great thing to do.
Throughout the day shoppers can cheer the Bike-A-Thon team along and donate to Leeds Women’s Aid by making donations of cash, Easter Eggs or unopened toiletries which will go to local women and their children.
If you would like to support this event please call into M&S at Owlcotes today before 6pm. Alternatively, cash donations can be made here.
Leeds Women’s Aid is an Independent Charity based in Leeds providing a range of outstanding domestic violence and abuse services. Leeds Women’s Aid Charity Shop is located at 102 New Road Side, Horsforth, LS18 4QB and donations can be made here.
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