Miller Chairman raises close to £20k with charity cycling challenge

Keith Miller, chairman of earthmoving attachments manufacturer Miller UK, has completed an epic Italian cycling challenge, covering hundreds of kilometres and raising close to £20,000 for charity.

The gruelling 746km five-day challenge, which was the second stage of this year’s Virgin Strive Challenge, saw Keith ride alongside Richard Branson and hundreds of other riders all pushing themselves to the limit. The challenging route, which started in the Italian Alps and finished in Magliano in Toscana, involved cycling more than 100 miles every day for five days straight and conquering a total elevation of 6,764 metres.

Keith has smashed his initial fundraising target of £12,000, with the total amount raised currently standing at an impressive £19,500 and still counting, which is all going to go to the Big Change charity. The charity, which offers alternative ways of supporting young people and helping them to thrive in life, works hard to give young people the skills to believe in their own ability to drive change. It also focusses on helping young people to access the opportunities they need to develop and grow and creates supportive environments for them to facilitate change.

Keith said: “When I was asked to take part I agreed without hesitation. The work that the Big Change charity does in helping to give the next generation the confidence and belief that they can achieve their ambitions in life is something which is very close to my heart.

“Being part of the Strive Challenge was incredible - the intense physical and mental challenge was like nothing else I’d experienced. I’d like to personally thank every single person who donated to the cause and helped me smash my target. Your support meant the world to me and was what kept me going throughout what has to be one of the toughest weeks of my life!”

This is the second Virgin Strive Challenge and follows on where the first challenge finished in 2014, at the base of the Matterhorn mountain on the border between Switzerland and Italy. Over 28 days, the core team hiked, cycled and even completed a triathlon stage as they travelled through Italy and to the summit of Mount Etna in Sicily, making the 2,300km journey entirely under their own steam, all to raise funds for the Big Change charity.