Hall & Woodhouse team member, Jon Mead, has completed a 343km charity bike ride challenge, visiting all 51 Hall & Woodhouse pubs in Dorset.

This gruelling ‘pub crawl’ was the first of its kind, as Jon completed his journey in under one day, a step up from last year’s two-day trek. The challenge was organised by the local family business to raise money for charities Dorset Mind and Sport in Mind.

Jon Mead, Innovation Manager at Hall & Woodhouse, commented: “I’m always looking for new ways to test my boundaries and push myself to limits that I never knew I could reach. To take on a challenge which embodies Hall & Woodhouse’s values of ambition and dedication was a big inspiration for me, and knowing that the funds raised will support my chosen charities. I believe that sport is an enabler for both your physical and mental health, so organisations like these that help communities live healthier, longer lives, deserve all the help that they can get.”

With temperatures spiking at 34degrees on the day of his challenge, Jon was met with support and motivation at each Hall & Woodhouse pub he stopped at with water top-ups and energy boosting snacks. Completing the course in just under 17 hours including stops, Jon was joined along the way by many Hall & Woodhouse team members, including Chairman Anthony Woodhouse, who cycled alongside Jon for the final four pubs.

Jon added: “To prepare for this route, I took on the Fred Whitton Challenge, which claims to be the UK’s hardest sportive. This is something I would have never done if it wasn’t for the larger challenge to come and I think it proves how valuable it is to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Setting myself a goal which wasn’t an established route allowed the event to be about the charities and those benefiting from them, rather than my own achievement. This is something I can see reflected in Hall & Woodhouse’s commitment to fundraising and enriching our local communities.”

Linda O’Sullivan, CEO of Dorset Mind, said: “We’d like to congratulate Jon for completing this extraordinary challenge on one of the hottest days of the year! The immense efforts he – and his support team – undertook should not be underestimated, and we’d like to thank everyone involved as he inspired the whole community.

“Jon’s incredible fundraising helps us provide 1-2-1 and group support for people across Dorset. The donations he has raised from this ‘ridathon’ alone could provide 28 essential counselling sessions to help five people recover from trauma or rebuild their self-esteem and confidence. This can be life- changing.

“We’d also like to extend a huge thank you to everyone that’s donated, whatever the size. As a local charity we rely on help from our community, it enables us to make a significant difference to people’s lives.”

Over the last decade, Hall & Woodhouse has raised over £1million for its chosen Pub Charity Partners to support the communities within which its pubs are located. The funds raised are through events such as pub quizzes, sporting endeavours and through the sale of dedicated charity dishes served in its pubs.

The second part of Jon’s challenge takes place this December, where he will be running to seven Hall & Woodhouse pubs, covering 110km. To support his ongoing fundraising challenge, or stay up to date with his progress, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thedorsetdoublechallenge2022dorsetmind for the Dorset Mind JustGiving page, and www.justgiving.com/fundraising/TheDorsetDoubleChallenge2022SportInMind for Sport in Mind.