Ian Hyder, a founder of The Light Fund, presented Anna Shepherd from The Grand Appeal with a cheque for £5,000.

The Light Fund has kicked off its biggest fundraiser to date – a four day 325m bike ride from Bristol to Dublin involving 65 licensing executives from across the UK industry – with a donation to Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal at Aardman Animations in Bristol.

Ian Hyder, one of the founders of The Light Fund, presented a cheque for £5,000 to Anna Shepherd from The Grand Appeal. Wallace & Gromit characters were on hand for the celebration, together with Aardman’s head of licensing, Rob Goodchild, who is taking part in the cycle event.

The bike ride starts today, and aims to raise at least £150k for The Light Fund – the UK licensing industry’s official charity, which raises money for good causes in the UK and worldwide. The money is being raised through corporate sponsorships on the ride, from a wide range of companies across the industry, and through personal fundraising.

The Grand Appeal is the first of many beneficiaries this year, with each chosen cause set to receive a donation capped at £5,000. Since being established in 2004, The Light Fund’s mission has been to support multiple good causes; it has donated over £1m to charities such as Alzheimer’s Society, The Children’s Trust, Bliss, and Challenge Africa.

At 6am today, the team of 65 licensing professionals left Bristol to cycle 102 miles in one day to reach Llanelli, South Wales. Along the way they will make a second £5,000 donation to Tŷ Hafan, a Welsh hospice charity, supported by Newport-based Bon Bon Buddies, a supplier of licensed character and branded confectionery. Other beneficiaries from the funds raised by the bike ride will be announced by The Light Fund committee later this year.

Ian Hyder, The Light Fund, commented: “It has taken 18 months to plan, but the 2018 Light Fund Cycle Tour from Bristol to Dublin has brought together the UK licensing industry like never before – there will be top industry players riding alongside junior execs, all tackling the hills together, whilst the rest of the industry is giving us their support via sponsorship. We are confident we’ll smash our target of raising £150k+ and all of that money will go to good causes. It is wonderful to start the tour here in Bristol – Aardman’s home – with a donation to the Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal.”