Standard Bank Jersey Rides Bikes to Buy Bikes

Employees of Standard Bank Jersey have taken to two wheels to change the lives of children in Africa for their fifth annual Qhubeka Charity Cycling event.

A group of 12 employees set off from Standard Bank’s headquarters on La Motte Street for a five-hour charity bike ride. The team covered 125kms in total, passing local landmarks of Corbiere Lighthouse, Gorey Castle, and St Catherine’s a number of times! 

This annual challenge to raise funds for global charity Qhubeka, which runs initiatives in South Africa allowing children and adults to earn bicycles through their programmes, is now in its fifth year. 

Meaning ‘to progress’, or ‘to move forward’ in Nguni, Qhubeka is dedicated to facilitating better access to schools, clinics, and jobs in areas where people face extreme and persistent poverty. 

For students, the ability to travel by bicycle improves attendance and consequently academic performance, as journey time from home to school reduces dramatically. 

In the interest of long-term sustainability, Qhubeka runs a range of programmes to ensure bicycles are allocated appropriately, well-maintained and used safely. 

Qhubeka has become a key charity partner for the team at Standard Bank Jersey because of its commitment to long-term, effective change in the lives of children in one of its key markets. 

The Standard Bank Jersey team has raised over £5,000, with assistance from the Standard Bank CSR team which is donating an additional £1,000. Fundraisers were also delighted to receive a generous donation from Melville Douglas Jersey, a registered business of the Bank offering investment management services, which sponsored the event alongside the supply of new jerseys for the participants. 

Philip Smith, Head of Investments, Fiduciary Services & Partnerships, said “Working with the Qhubeka charity aligns with our SEE goals of making an impact in the countries we do business in. The funds raised by my colleagues on the 5th Annual Ride for Qhubeka will have a positive impact in the daily lives of the school children who receive these bikes. Melville Douglas is delighted to continue our partnership with Qhubeka into 2023 and beyond.” 

Fundraising efforts with colleagues in Jersey and the Isle of Man will mean more than 20 new bikes will be supplied to those most in need.