“Some thrive under pressure, others crumble.”

Those were the words used by Chris Porter, head of drinks trade
charity The Benevolent, when asked why he needs more funds.

Referring to mental health issues in the drinks industry, he has
observed an increase in the number of cases, from severe stress to
suicide. 

Indeed, it was the decision by a gifted member of the UK wine
industry to take his own life last year that sparked a campaign by The
Benevolent called #NotAlone – designed to encourage people to speak freely about depression and anxiety.

Such an important service, along with many other types of help
provided by The Benevolent, mean that this charity needs financial support more than ever before.

So what am I doing about it? Getting on my bike. But this isn’t my
usual round trip from Streatham to Southwark. No, I’m swapping London’s pockmarked streets for the hills and tracks of Tuscany, as I take part in a four-day cycling challenge covering 350km.

Organised by UK wine importer Mentzendorff, and dubbed the Giro di Toscana, on Monday 24 June I’ll be landing in Pisa with my two-wheeled companion – a basic road-bike I’ve used daily since 2005.

The scenery will be beautiful, but the cycling arduous, requiring
many aching hours in the saddle, with great swathes of time spent wishing one could dismount, stretch out, and forget the miles ahead.

So, due to the worthwhile nature of the cause, and the scale of
the challenge, I would be hugely grateful for any form of sponsorship.

Don’t feel compelled to donate large sums – although they would of
course be welcome – I just need lots of you to spare a few pounds.

Thank you and I’ll keep you updated on my progress through thedrinksbusiness.com

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