A SUPERMARKET is celebrating a successful charity cycle after raising £18,000 for Mind across the Northern counties they serve.

The tour, which took place over 5 days, saw Booth's staff cycle in stages visiting all 28 stores and four sites across Cumbria, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester along the way.

The idea for the event came from the Chief Operating Officer of Booths Nigel Murray who is a keen cyclist with a growing interest in how physical health supports positive mental wellbeing. 

“The experience has been quite amazing," he said.

"It’s not just about the fundraising. If just one conversation starts in the workplace, and someone gains help, then we have made a difference. I’m very proud of my colleagues at Booths.

“The support from colleagues, suppliers and customers has been remarkable.

"It’s brought our teams closer together and has helped open a dialogue about well-being in the workplace and the practical steps we can all take to look after both our own mental health and support our friends and colleagues in the workplace.” 

Tommy McIlravey, CEO at Lancashire Mind thanked Booths for their support.

He said: “At Lancashire Mind we are trying to lead a revolution in terms of mental health and wellbeing but we can’t do it on our own.

"That’s why it’s so great to see that Nigel has started something big here. We already knew that Booths are an employer that cares about mental wellbeing.

"However they are taking it to the next level now, with the whole company getting behind this initiative. They are sending a message that we need to start conversations about wellbeing to help ourselves and each other."

Booths plan to make the Tour an annual event open to colleagues, suppliers and supporters of Booths to ride and make a difference to people’s lives.