Mark Morgan and Gordon Davies from Stella's Voice

Stella’s Voice received more than £37, 000 from the annual cycle challenge 

A charity that supports vulnerable women and children is to use the proceeds from a cycle challenge to help meet “unprecedented” demand for its support in the North-east.

Stella’s Voice, a charity that responds to referrals from local authorities, charities, and other agencies to support women and children with emergency re-housing essentials used the funding to keep delivery vehicles running and ensure household items such as sofas, washing machines, beds, and clothing get to those in need in the North-east. 

It was one of four UK charities to receive funding from the 2024 bp Coast 2-Coast fundraiser which saw riders cover 225 miles between Dumfries and Aberdeen over three days in June. 

The endurance challenge, now in its 15th year, raised nearly £165, 000 for Archie’s Child Bereavement Service, Independence from Drugs and Alcohol Scotland at River Garden and Myeloma UK, as well as Stella’s Voice.

Mark Morgan, CEO at Stella’s Voice, who provided support vehicles for the Coast 2 Coast cycle, said:
“Without support from bp’s Coast 2 Coast, a lot of people would not have been helped. Like every charity, we have had rising costs, and our core costs have gone up this year. Even keeping up with last year’s demand has been hard but the growing demand we have seen leaves a challenge in terms of how we meet it.

“Over the past 30 years, we have been asked to supply a mattress once or twice for NHS patients who cannot be discharged from hospital because they don’t have a bed to sleep in.  In the last year, we have received a mattress request significantly more times than in the last 30 years. The funding from Coast 2 Coast is invaluable to us.”

This year 60 current and former bp staff took part in the cycle with the bp Foundation matching money raised by current employees – doubling the value of the contributions.

In addition to the cycle, bp organised a Coast 2 Coast ceilidh at Elphinstone Hall, which raised an additional almost £1,200 for the four nominated charities.

bp industrial hygienist Emma Thomson is part of the Coast 2 Coast organising committee. She said:
“We are over the moon to have raised nearly £165K this year, which is almost £330 more per rider than in 2023, to help charities like Stella’s Voice make a real difference to communities in need, especially during challenging times for individuals and families. 

“We are grateful to all our riders for their efforts over the past 15 years. Without their commitment and dedication, none of this would be possible.”

Coast 2 Coast

Since its inaugural ride across Scotland in 2008, bp Coast 2 Coast cyclists have raised more than £2 million for local charities. Each year, the ride follows a different route across the country covering 200-plus miles.

The ride welcomes cyclists of all abilities with individuals covering their own accommodation and food costs.  Each cyclist has a fundraising target of £1,000 with all funds raised by bp employees matched by the bp Foundation – doubling the value of any contributions.

Charities

Myeloma UK
Myeloma is an incurable blood cancer and Myeloma UK provides vital information and services to patients, families, friends, and carers, and also funds and supports groundbreaking research and clinical trials. For more information about myeloma or to get in touch with Myeloma UK go to www.myeloma.org.uk. 

River Garden
Independence from Drugs and Alcohol Scotland at River Garden helps people leave behind drug and alcohol addiction. Facility residents become key partners in a proven model of recovery which includes social entrepreneurship, education, rehabilitation, and the opportunity for real change. C2C support will provide kilns for drying timber to increase the production of wood products for public sale in the charity's woodworking and joinery social enterprise.

The Archie Foundation 
Archie’s Child Bereavement Service supports bereaved and traumatised children and young people. Early intervention helps those affected go on to lead fulfilling lives and contribute to their local community. The C2C contribution will fund a bereavement support worker for one year. https://archie.org/

Stella’s Voice
Stella’s Voice responds to referrals from local authorities, charities, and other agencies to support women and children with emergency re-housing, essentials, and food due to reasons such as domestic abuse. Coast 2 Coast funds will help keep delivery vehicles running and ensure that household items such as sofas, washing machines and beds and clothing get to those in need. 
https://stellasvoice.org.uk/