In 2020, TrilbyTV director Neil Emery embarked on an ambitious challenge where he ran 5k and cycled 20k on alternate days raising money for the Matt Kendall Foundation. The plan was to raise £1,000 and to do this for 100 days but that changed when he smashed his target, eventually raising a whopping £2,075. This led Neil to extend the challenge for an additional 20 days until the JustGiving page eventually closed.
This was one of many fundraisers that Neil has done over the years for the Matt Kendall Foundation which was set up in memory of his good friend Matt Kendall. He previously walked from Birmingham to London, cycled from Guildford to Kendal and auctioned off a bass guitar signed by Paul Weller and the Stone Roses.
Unfortunately, the Foundation closed its funding doors this year but that isn’t stopping Neil! Matt was cared for by Birmingham St Marys Hospice, which is why Neil will be happily raising money for the charity this year as he told us,
“We lost our friend Matt Kendall in 2015 and the Hospice very kindly cared for Matt during his illness. After the Matt Kendall Foundation unfortunately closed this year, I only think that it’s right that I will be raising money for St. Mary’s Hospice as I saw first-hand how much of a difference they can really make.”
Neil will be embarking on a 707 mile bike ride in memory of Matt involving an epic 16 day cycle from his home town in Teignmouth, Devon on 3rd August, winding his way up to Kendal in Cumbria. He will be using the UK canal networks to help him with his journey and will be joined by friends along the way.
“I am looking forward to having my friends join me for a cycling stage, meeting me along the way of my challenge or celebrating with me at the end of the day. I want to look back at my phone after these sixteen days and see photos that I will remember and cherish forever when thinking of Matt. Matt (Donnie the Coach) will always be in our hearts and thoughts.”
St. Mary’s Hospice is a fantastic charity and one we already have a strong connection with as they use TrilbyTV in all of their shops as a way for the central marketing and retail teams to provide customer information including current promotions and fundraising activities. You can find out more about what they do here.
It’s awesome that we have such a motivated, inspirational director at TrilbyTV! If you’d like to support Neil, click here. Keep an eye on the social media channels to check out Neil’s progress!