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Cyclists Raise Funds for Veterans Charities in Memory of Charlie Norman
Golden Charter has successfully raised over £4,000 for two UK veterans’ charities through a dedicated ‘Pedal to Paris’ charity cycling event. The effort followed the untimely passing of the company’s CEO, Charlie Norman.
The funds were raised for the funeral plan provider’s long-term charity associates, The Royal British Legion and Poppyscotland. This was made possible through a significant fundraising venture led by Golden Charter’s national sales manager, Steven Driscoll, and the late CEO, Charlie Norman, as they embarked on a four-day cycling challenge from London to Paris.
Charlie Norman, who tragically passed away one week before the event, had been diligently training and fundraising alongside Steven Driscoll for several months prior to the event. Together, they managed to raise a total of £4,036, exceeding their initial goal of £3,580.
The 265-mile cycling trip spanned four days, starting on September 5, 2024, in South-East London and concluding in Paris on September 8, 2024, at Les Invalides, known as a traditional sanctuary for veteran care in France.
The following morning, a remembrance service was held near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe. Funeral director Julian Walker, from A B Walker and Son in Reading, also participated in memory of Norman, raising over £2,500 for the endeavour.
Since the inception of this charity partnership, Golden Charter and its affiliated partners have raised in excess of £800,000 for The Royal British Legion and Poppyscotland. Speaking after the event, Steven Driscoll expressed how supporting these charities was something close to Charlie’s heart and signifies a proud achievement in his memory.
Julian Walker articulated the emotional closure of the event, with a dinner bringing together all participants. During the dinner, a Royal British Legion representative acknowledged Charlie’s contributions and paid tribute to his enduring legacy.
Ben France, the head of Corporate Partnerships for The Royal British Legion, expressed gratitude toward Steven Driscoll and Julian Walker for their incredible fundraising efforts. He acknowledged the difficult time that the Golden Charter community faced with Charlie’s loss and reiterated the value of their substantial partnership.
