Rollo Rides for Bristol’s Green Bid

A 23-year-old local businessman is drumming up support for Bristol’s European Green Capital 2014 bid with an epic solo bike ride across Europe. Rollo Lewis will be riding on SCOTT, as we’re keen to support his mission to raise awareness of the importance in creating greener ways of travelling.

 

Rollo is a director of Bristol’s new green design agency, Green Chameleon and he will aim to cycle 1,182 km in 15 days. Starting in Bristol on 13 June, his journey will take him through Nantes (the 2013 Green Capital) and end in Vitoria-Gasteiz (2012 Green Capital), in time for the announcement taking place there of the 2014 winner on 29 June. In addition to supporting Bristol’s bid, Rollo and his team at Green Chameleon are hoping to raise £10,000 in sponsorship, to be split between the two charities they support, Raw Foundation and Haller.

 

"I strongly believe in living and working as sustainably as we can, and when I heard about Bristol’s Green Capital bid, I was keen to get involved and show support," says Rollo.

 

When we set up Green Chameleon last year, we chose Bristol because of its green credentials. There is a phenomenal amount of environmental work going on here and it would be fantastic to see that acknowledged and rewarded with the European Green Capital title.

 

This bike ride aims to show Europe that Bristol is full of businesses like ours; doing everything we can to be green. Were determined to raise awareness for Bristol’s bid and raise a large amount of sponsorship for our chosen charities at the same time.

 

Martin Bigg, chair of the Bristol Green Capital partnership, said:

 

"Rollo’s ride is a great example of the support from Bristol’s green businesses and why we deserve to take the crown of European Green Capital 2014. Rollo and his team at Green Chameleon are a local business that is committed to being sustainable and working in partnership with other sustainable businesses and organisations. Rollo makes a great ambassador for our city and it will be great to have him alongside the rest of the bid team at the awards ceremony in Vitoria on June 29."

 

The online campaign Rollo’s Ride, designed by Green Chameleon, will be tracking his progress during the challenge, updating his blog and helping to spread the message.

 

His bike is being provided by SCOTT Sports UK, who are also backing Bristol’s Green Capital bid. SCOTT UK marketing manager, Catriona Sutherland, says:

 

“Moving towards greener ways of travelling is hugely important; it’s not only sustainable, it has significant health benefits too, so it’s something were keen to champion. We wish Rollo all the best for this challenge.”

 

Rollo’s Ride has already received sponsorship of £960 from four Bristol based organisations.

 

Clive Lewis (FRICS), Principle of Lewis and Co, a long established Bristol based chartered surveying practice specialising in all aspects of commercial property; Borough Properties LPP, a property investment and management company; The Downs School, a leading independent Preparatory School for boys and girls aged 4 to 13; and Sustainability Plus Europe, who specialise in providing sustainability and resource efficiency advice and services to the commercial property industry. To help reach the target of £10,000, Rollo is looking for more local business support as well as sponsorship from individuals.

 

To find out more about Rollo’s ride or donate to the charities, go to http://www.greenchameleondesign.com/rollosride/.

 

You can also pledge your support for Bristols European Green Capital bid through this page, or by going directly to www.bristolgreencapital.org/support.