Not for Profit

Jon Mead, right, enjoys a celebratory pint of Badger Beer with Tim Bailey.
Published: September 7, 2022 | Updated: 8th September 2022
Talk about a pub crawl with a difference!
Jon Mead, a team member with Hall & Woodhouse, successfully completed a 213 mile (343 km) charity bike ride challenge, visiting all 51 of the company’s pubs in Dorset.
The gruelling ‘Dorset Double’ was the first of its kind as Jon completed his journey in under one day.
It was organised by the family business to raise money for charities Dorset Mind and Sport in Mind.
Jon, Innovation Manager at Hall & Woodhouse, said: “I’m always looking for new ways to test my boundaries and push myself to limits that I never knew I could reach.
“To take on a challenge which embodies Hall & Woodhouse’s values of ambition and dedication was a big inspiration for me, and knowing that the funds raised will support my chosen charities.
“I believe that sport is an enabler for both your physical and mental health, so organisations like these that help communities live healthier, longer lives, deserve all the help that they can get.”
With temperatures spiking at 34 degrees on the day of his challenge, Jon was met with support and motivation at each Hall & Woodhouse pub he stopped at with water top-ups and energy boosting snacks.
Completing the course in just under 17 hours including stops, Jon was joined along the way by many Hall & Woodhouse team members, including Chairman Anthony Woodhouse, who cycled alongside Jon for the final four pubs.
Jon said: “To prepare for this route, I took on the Fred Whitton Challenge, which claims to be the UK’s hardest sportive.
“This is something I would have never done if it wasn’t for the larger challenge to come and I think it proves how valuable it is to push yourself out of your comfort zone.
“Setting myself a goal which wasn’t an established route allowed the event to be about the charities and those benefiting from them, rather than my own achievement.”
Linda O’Sullivan, pictured left, CEO of Dorset Mind, said: “We’d like to congratulate Jon for completing this extraordinary challenge on one of the hottest days of the year.
“The immense efforts he – and his support team – undertook should not be underestimated, and we’d like to thank everyone involved as he inspired the whole community.
“Jon’s incredible fundraising helps us provide 1-2-1 and group support for people across Dorset.
“The donations he has raised, alone, could provide 28 essential counselling sessions to help five people recover from trauma or rebuild their self-esteem and confidence.
“This can be life-changing.
“We’d also like to extend a huge thank you to everyone that’s donated, whatever the size.
“As a local charity we rely on help from our community, it enables us to make a significant difference to people’s lives.”
Over the last decade, Hall & Woodhouse has raised more than £1 million for its chosen pub charity partners to support local communities.
The second part of Jon’s challenge is in December when he will be running to seven Hall & Woodhouse pubs, covering 68 miles (110 km).