A team of cyclists from estate agent MACK Residential has completed their seventh annual Ride2Rugby fundraiser, so far raising £18,750 for our charity, which supports people who have experienced homelessness.
The challenge
The three-day cycling challenge began on Wednesday 5 March, with the team setting off from Mack House in Cheltenham. They cycled approximately 220 miles through Wales and the challenging climbs of Snowdonia before reaching Holyhead on Friday 7 March. From there, they took a ferry to Dublin, arriving in time for the Ireland vs. France rugby match at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday 8 March.
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- The Ride2Rugby team setting off from Cheltenham!
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- Much needed pit stop along the way
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- Next stop, Dublin!
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- They made it! Watching the rugby at Aviva Stadium in Dublin
The team
The 2025 Ride2Rugby team included original cyclists Kelan Loughnane and Rory Sweeney, along with returning teammates Olan Hodnett, Adam Teakle, Rob Berry, and David Jones. First-time participant Josh Ashwin also joined the ride, with the support crew led by John Loughnane and Pascal Finn.
Commenting on the Ride2Rugby fundraiser and why Emmaus Gloucestershire was chosen to benefit, Kelan Loughnane, CEO of MACK Residential, said:
“For the past seven years, our Ride2Rugby fundraiser has supported charities and organisations that are either personally meaningful to us or aligned with our core values – and this year was no exception.
“When we met with the team at Emmaus Gloucestershire and learned about their current initiative focused on preventative measures to combat homelessness, we instantly recognised the value of their work. We felt that our fundraising efforts could contribute meaningfully to making a real difference to their social housing project, helping to provide a safe and secure home for a family in need, and offering them the opportunity to regain their independence.
“Supporting Emmaus Gloucestershire aligns with MACK Residential’s belief that every person should have a home where they feel safe, secure and valued. This commitment also reflects our personal and professional values of integrity, innovation and empowerment.”
This support will make a huge difference
All money raised will go towards our social housing project. We already provide accommodation, work experience, and support for up to 26 people at a time, and this year we will be expanding our offering and renovating a Grade 2 listed, three-bedroom house in Stroud. When finished, we will use the property as social housing, providing a safe and stable home for a family in need.
Commenting on the impact of the funds raised, Lorraine Watson, Operations Manager at Emmaus Gloucestershire, said:
“Thanks to the incredible efforts of the Ride2Rugby team, this funding will help us expand our support for people facing homelessness. At Emmaus Gloucestershire, we already provide a home and support for up to 26 people, but we know there are many more in need. By renovating our property in Stroud, which was generously bequeathed to our charity, we can extend our reach and offer a stable home to a family who might otherwise struggle to find one. We are extremely grateful to the Ride2Rugby team for helping us to achieve this.”
There’s still time to donate!
The Ride2Rugby team covered all their own travel costs, so every penny raised will go directly to Emmaus Gloucestershire and its social housing project. The fundraiser is still live for anyone who would like to support the cycling team and Emmaus Gloucestershire. Donate by visiting: www.gofundme.com/f/ride-2-rugby-2025