It’s not often that an NTT DATA team is expected to break out the Lycra, but September saw seven NTT DATA riders saddle up to take part in a two-day cycling event in aid of Street Child, which has been one of the company’s sponsored charities for the past four years.
Sponsorship money is still coming in, but between the riders’ efforts and the beer tent that NTT DATA also sponsored, the company looks set to raise around £25k towards Street Child’s work. The charity focuses on projects to support children in countries where poverty or conflict might otherwise prevent children from accessing education.
Before 2020, people in the UK took it for granted that their children would be able to go to school. The pandemic changed that, with many of us discovering the hard way how difficult life can be without easy access to education. Improving society and giving back is very much part of our culture at NTT DATA. Education is fundamental to that, so supporting the work of Street Child is a natural fit for us.
Long-term NTT DATA client Liberty Global also sponsored the event.
Street Child’s ‘Big Ride for Africa’ takes place in a different host country each year. This year’s ride was based in the Chilterns and attracted around 250 participants. Travel restrictions made it more difficult for some international cyclists to attend this time, but the number of people taking part was still a big step up from last year, when the pandemic forced the ride to be cancelled.
The Big Ride aims to be achievable for people across a wide range of abilities. There was the chance to cycle one of three different distances, as well as the option to run or walk on one of the days, transforming the event into a duathlon.
It was fantastic to be there in person because last year the event didn’t take place as designed. It is a fully functioning event with the courses marked out, pit stops and even mechanics on hand if you had a puncture. They thought of everything. Then back at the finish there was a real carnival atmosphere with food, drink and live music. Everybody was rejoicing that we could do it in person this time. It was a great experience.
Anyone interested in taking part in 2022 can find out more about next year’s Big Ride for Africa by visiting the website. In the meantime, it’s still possible to add to the total raised this year by visiting the participants’ Just Giving page.
