The Power of Networking…

Last August Bank Holiday weekend a group of intrepid cyclists took part in the 10th Queen Eleanor Cycle Ride raising money for a London homeless person's charity, The Connection at St Martin's.

In all, over ￡27,000 was raised to fund support for homeless and vulnerable people. So, who joins the bike ride and why? After detailed analysis of all the participants the obvious conclusion was reached; it’s all down to the power of networking! Keith knows Peter who suggests to Paul who encourages Julia to join who…

So, I thought I’d put the power of networking to work for 2019’s Queen Eleanor Cycle Ride! Well I am their Press Officer!! Who do you know who is in to cycling? Who might relate to the homeless agenda? Which of your connections would enjoy fundraising for The Connection? Please like, share or comment to spread the word.

The 4-day event takes place over the August Bank Holiday. All cyclists are welcome. Accommodation is in church halls; all food (including a great deal of cake!), and back up transport for luggage and emergencies is provided.

The team is divided up into groups of riders who travel at similar speeds covering just over 200 miles from near Lincoln to Westminster Abbey. The route echoes the fascinating last journey of Queen Eleanor of Castile, the wife of King Edward 1. She died in Harby, near Lincoln in 1290 and the King arranged for his wife’s body to be carried to London, with crosses bearing statues of the Queen - the Queen Eleanor Crosses - erected everywhere the procession stopped overnight. Three of the original crosses still remain in Waltham Cross, Northampton and Geddington, just outside Corby. Charing Cross in London though is a replica of the original monument. Meanwhile there are tombs in both Lincoln Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, with a memorial to her in the shrine of St Edward the Confessor.

Each personal story of a homeless person brings its own tale of heartache. Charles Woodd, Chair of the Friends of the Connection, sets the scene: “The number of people sleeping rough in central London every night has doubled in 5 years. The Connection at St Martin’s provides a range of vital services to help homeless and vulnerable people take the steps they need to in order to get back into society.”

For every ￡100 raised it gives someone homeless two nights in the warmth and safety of an emergency Night Centre, with showers, hot nutritious food, and a 1-2-1 support session with a keyworker.

Anybody who would like to take part in next year’s cycle ride can find out more by visiting www.queeneleanorcycleride.org.uk . For more information on The Connection visit: www.connection-at-stmartins.org.uk

As a career coach, it’s consistently clear that the majority of people find their next role through their network. Out of interest, how did you find your last job? Let’s together test the wider power of networking…