The Chapel’s challenge for the Hair & Beauty Charity!

Toby Dicker founder of The Chapel salon group, organised a gruelling fundraising bike ride recently in the name of three charities, all of which are very close to his heart.

Managing to persuade eight of his friends to join him in this challenge, including his 11 year old son for part of the ride, the fearless team of nine took on the challenge of riding 1,000 miles from Tunbridge Wells to Girona, Spain. The ride equated to a total 80 hours of riding with a total elevation climb of nearly twice that of Mt Everest!

The fundraising bike raised funds to be spilt across 3 very well deserving charities;

• The Hair & Beauty Charity – The charity is dedicated to helping hair and beauty professionals in need. With roots going back to 1853, the official industry charity offers financial support to individuals and their families facing difficult times due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, bereavement and financial hardship. The charity’s beneficiaries are supported with regular payments or one-off grants to make their lives a little easier.
• The Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre – A centre that offers a safe, relaxing, friendly environment for cancer patients and their friends and family. Offering a wide range of complementary therapies to those affected by cancer in all areas.
• CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is the leading movement against suicide, the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK and the cause of 18 deaths every day. CALM offer frontline services, help to communities and run campaigns to break the stigma around mental health, especially in men.

The group managed to raise a whopping £27,500 with £8,750 being donated to The Hair & Beauty Charity.

Toby explains “I lost my uncle to pancreatic cancer at the age of 60 just over a year ago. We talked many times of doing epic bike rides together and one of the destinations we discussed was Barcelona – in his will, he donated me his bike and I thought it fitting that I should take the bike he lovingly put together on one of these epic rides.”

“The Hair and Beauty Charity also held its annual fundraising cycling event in Girona (Near Barcelona) from September 22^nd-26th, I attended this event for the last 200 miles of the 1,000 that I cycled. My uncle believed for years that the Hair & Beauty Charity’s cause is essential to our industry. They’ve looked after several team members of The Chapel’s and we wanted to return the love.”