LONDON, UK — September 21, 2023 — Plume® recently completed its third annual #PlumeStrong Cycling Challenge, a demanding five-day ride across the most arduous mountain passes in Switzerland and France. Employees from Plume and its partners were joined by the number one professional cyclist in the world, Tadej Pogačar, and collectively raised over € 550,000, surpassing the initiative’s target of €500,000.
Plumian riders pedaled with passion throughout the #PlumeStrong Cycling Challenge 2023, cumulatively covering over 19,000 kilometers, spending over 849 hours in the saddle, and climbing the equivalent of Mt. Everest 36 times—an incredible fundraising feat.
The funds raised will help provide vital educational support to the children who were directly impacted by the earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria in February 2023. In exceeding its fundraising goal, more than double last year’s event, #PlumeStrong will work in partnership with Street Child to focus on constructing schools within the education sector, in the areas most affected by the earthquake. The initiative was supported by several of Plume’s partners from the telecom industry and beyond with special thanks going to its Diamond Partner, Liberty Global, and its Platinum Partner, Sagemcom.
“Following the resounding success of #PSCC22, we set ourselves a mission to double the funds we raised. I couldn’t be prouder of the collective commitment shown by our riders, Plume employees, and partners, including professional cyclist Tadej Pogačar, who have come together to exceed our goal by a significant margin,” said Fahri Diner, Founder & CEO of Plume. “Through their efforts, and by building a school, we can provide access to safe education and play a significant role in helping communities rebuild following the devastating Turkey-Syria earthquake.”
Lucinda Dannatt, Co-Founder & Director of Policy and Development, said “We're honoured Plume selected Street Child as its charity partner for the annual #PlumeStrong Cycling Challenge for a second year in a row. A huge congratulations to all the riders who undertook this extraordinary fundraising challenge and pedaled countless kilometers to support the children whose lives have been impacted by the Turkey-Syria earthquake. The funds raised will be used, as part of this innovative partnership, to rebuild the education sector in the worst affected areas, having a ripple effect on generations to come.”
Tadej Pogačar is one of the most successful professional cyclists of the modern era. He won the 2020 and 2021 editions of the Tour de France, becoming the first to win three different jerseys in consecutive Tours in nearly four decades.
“In the hectic world of modern cycling it’s important for me to find time to give back to young people who have experienced a great deal of suffering in their lives,” said Tadej Pogačar. “I was honored to ride once again alongside Plume employees and their partners to promote such a worthy cause. I am thrilled that we exceeded the fundraising expectations and can contribute to making a big difference to families who are rebuilding their lives.”
#PlumeStrong has become a key part of Plume’s corporate social responsibility program and is now dedicated to creating more equitable opportunities for marginalised and vulnerable communities. At last year’s #PlumeStrong Cycling Challenge, 50 riders, including Plume’s employees and its partners, cycled 675 kilometers through the Swiss Alps, raising €250.000. All funds were donated to Street Child and the partnership provided safe spaces, called Inclusive Learning Hubs, for refugee children in Ukraine and Moldova.
Street Child is one of the world’s fastest-growing international children’s charities, established in 2008. Street Child works to ensure children are safe, in school and learning even, and especially, in low resource environments and emergencies. The charity works with an expanding network of local organisations and a focus on the power and purpose of inspirational local level organisations sits at the heart of all they do – and has done so since the first partnership in Sierra Leone in 2008.
Today Street Child works in over 20 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
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Headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices worldwide, Plume creates delightful experiences that help consumers thrive in their ever-changing digital lifestyles. #PlumeStrong began during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic as a fun, action-oriented initiative to help the company’s employees stay physically and mentally well through exercise. Today, we serve our global community through the #PlumeStrong initiative—our social impact balance sheet—committed to driving positive change across five pillars: health & wellness, education & equality, planet & climate, science & technology, and security & privacy.
Visit plumestrong.plume.com.
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