From 29th September to 1st October, I will be, along with other members of the drinks and hospitality industry cycling for 3 consecutive days through the (very hilly) south east of England vineyard region to raise funds for The Drinks Trust. Covering around 120km per day it is going to be a proper challenge.

The Drinks Trust is the charity dedicated to the drinks and hospitality workforce. It strives to empower our industry people through services designed to assist financially, restore well-being and develop skills, and to do so with compassion and respect. In doing so, The Drinks Trust seeks to create an equitable industry where opportunities to thrive are open to all.

From June until the end of 2023, The Drinks Trust aims to raise £230,000 to support those who need our help the most through its new Cost of Living Crisis Appeal. The Drinks Trust has experienced unprecedented demand for financial, well-being and training support. The single grant amount for financial grants in January 2023 was double that in 2022, and applications in the first quarter of this year have been the highest since the charity's founding in 1886.

By participating in the Harvest Tour, we are raising valuable funds to deliver financial, well-being and mental health support and training opportunities to up to 1,000 individuals facing severe hardship."

Even more poignantly, following the sad passing of Philip Tuck MW, Hatch Mansfield Wine Director and Wine Trade Sports Club Committee Member, as well as a founder of the Harvest Tour, the tour will be conducted in his memory, celebrating his life and his contribution to the industry that he cared so passionately about.

Hatch Mansfield CEO, Patrick McGrath MW recently said, “Philip’s zest for life and kindness will be sorely missed and this tour will be an opportunity to remember him together; a chance to pay homage to the wonderful man that he was.”

Your support is enormously appreciated and will help us all to train hard for this challenge.

Thank you

Christo