Mortgage industry leaders have raised £26,002 for two charities after cycling 472 miles from Edinburgh to London in four days.
The inaugural Mortgage 400 challenge raised money for Magic Moments, which supports children with life-limiting illnesses and their families, and Crisis, the homelessness charity.
Guest riders and a support team joined the cyclists during the journey. The support team was led by Robert Sinclair, the former chief executive of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries, Paul Fryers, the former chief commercial officer of Computershare, and Charles Roe, a former director at UK Finance.
The event was organised by John Doughty, chapter managing director at Just Mortgages, and Andy Dean, head of housing and sustainability at Lloyds Banking Group.
They said the challenge had attracted donations, sponsorship and messages of support from colleagues and businesses across the mortgage industry. The organisers will consider whether Mortgage 400 should return, although no plans have yet been confirmed.
Doughty said: “When we set up the Mortgage 400, our mission was to bring likeminded people together from across the industry to challenge ourselves and importantly, raise money for worthy causes. It proved to be a real challenge, but such a brilliant and worthwhile experience alongside a fantastic group of people.
“I couldn’t be more proud to see more than £26,000 being split between these two tremendous charities – demonstrating once again the industry’s ability to come together in support of worthy causes.
“Magic Moments is a cause close to the hearts of all across Just Mortgages and Spicerhaart. I was proud to join Magic Moments’ most recent trip to Disneyland Paris, creating memories for children with life-limiting illnesses and their families – including one young child set to undergo their third open heart surgery.
“These trips obviously come at a cost – around £56,000 to take 13 families to Disney. Knowing we were able to help towards funding that trip and helping families create precious memories makes all the prep and all the miles worthwhile.”
Dean said: “All the support we’ve received has been completely overwhelming. From the riders taking part, industry colleagues joining our convoy, to all the donations, well-wishes and sponsorships, it felt like the industry really came together to back this challenge.
“Raising over £26,000 is such an incredible achievement and I’m so pleased that the money is going to two brilliant causes.
“Lloyds Banking Group is incredibly proud to support Crisis as our longstanding charity partner. Along with our customers, we have raised more than £5 million since 2023, supporting the important work they do to tackle homelessness and help those at risk of losing their home or those living in poor conditions.
“The energy and positivity around this event has been beyond anything we expected, and it’s encouraged us to reflect on what the Mortgage 400 could look like in the future.”
The other riders were Adam Sheldon of NatWest Intermediaries, Andy Cooke of Clydesdale Bank and Virgin Money, Bryan Kidd of Smartr365, Jason Hegarty and Neil Wyatt of Mortgage Brain, Mark Searle of Chartwell Funding, and Oliver Smith of Vida Bank.
Guest riders included Graham McClelland and Peter Docker of Gen H, Wendy Quantrill of Suffolk Building Society and Jamie Hurst of AE3 Media.
Pictured (L-R): Graham McClelland; Pete Dockar; Mark Searle; Oliver Smith; Neil Wyatt; Andy Deane; John Doughty; Jeson Hegarty; Bryan Kidd; Andy Cooke; Adam Sheldon; Wendy Quantrill and Paul Fyers. (Front left) Charles Rowe and (front right) Robert Sinclair.
