Outstanding amount raised in June by Barchester staff and residents

For the fourth consecutive year, colleagues from Barchester Healthcare’s care homes and hospitals have put themselves through the Tour de Barchester, a gruelling 242 mile cycling challenge to raise money for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation. Set up in 2000, this year marks our 25th year supporting individuals, community groups and small charities all across the country.

Over four days a team of care home workers, suppliers and directors cycled across Barchester’s North West & Midlands Division from Dumfries to Cheshire calling at 17 care homes to meet well-wishers, have a well-earned break and refuel before continuing on their way. They were joined and supported by suppliers, sponsors, staff members and residents from different homes and teams as the Tour passed through. Representatives from local groups and charities that had recently received funding from the Foundation were also invited to join in the celebrations.

For the second year running, the Tour de Barchester coincided with a wider initiative for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, a week of fundraising activity called Get Barchester Moving where all Barchester’s 267 homes and hospitals plus support offices logged their ‘move minutes’ and got stuck into all kinds of different fundraising activities to show their support.  Barchester colleagues logged a total of 419,829 move minutes or 292 days in one week alone!  

Shona Conway, Tour de Barchester Organiser and core team cyclist, said: “Last year the Tour de Barchester and Get Barchester Moving Week collectively raised over £54,000 which was amazing but we were determined to go one better.  I am delighted to say that so far this year with the help of all our homes supporting us we have raised a staggering £64,000 which is just wonderful and money is still coming in!  I am so proud and so grateful to all the homes and colleagues that welcomed us en route and helped us fundraise.  I also have to say massive thanks to our superb support crew and our generous sponsors who are absolute superstars. Bring on Tour de Barchester 2026, we’re already planning the route!”

Chair of Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, Commercial Director and core Tour de Barchester team cyclist, Simon McCall, commented: “It never ceases to amaze me how our homes and hospitals go the extra mile to support us during the Tour de Barchester and Get Barchester Moving week, this year was no exception.  It is an absolute privilege to visit our wonderful homes and hospitals and meet our fantastic residents, patients and teams to witness first hand all the crazy things they are getting up to in the name of charity. 

I have to thank each and every person who either got on a bike, got behind the wheel, baked a cake or blew up a balloon to support us.  We have raised a phenomenal amount again this year and it will be put to such good use supporting individuals, community groups and small charities, helping to connect people and combat loneliness which is what the Foundation is all about.”