The interiors industry has been urged to don their helmets and pump up their tyres to support United in Design’s education and outreach efforts.
Jonathan Forster, interior designer, Plymouth University lecturer and podcaster and Tom Bourne, Select First creative director aka Clerkenwheels will cycle 260 miles from Plymouth to Clerkenwell, London hoping to raise £10,000 for the charity.
The duo should arrive at Reddie’s Goswell Road showroom on the first day of Clerkenwell Design Week, and members of the industry are invited to join them from Farnham on 19 May.
The Australian-Indonesian sustainable furniture brand is supporting Clerkenwheels by hosting the ride’s arrival celebration after five days in the saddle. David Collins Studio, has become the ride’s official kit sponsor, and luxury lighting and furniture brand Porta Romana’s Farnham workshop is the as the destination for day four of the adventure. IVC is also a sponsor. Clerkenwheels is also officially supported by Clerkenwell Design Week.
‘We’re thrilled to have all these great companies stepping in to help us achieve our goal of raising £10,000 for United in Design’s education and outreach programme. Reddie, David Collins Studio and Porta Romana are all making a significant contribution to ensuring the success of our adventure and improving diversity within our industry. Having the backing of Clerkenwell Design Week gives us even more energy to make sure we get to London by Tuesday,’ says Bourne and Forster.
‘Congratulations to Jonathan and Tom on this impressive undertaking to raise funds for United in Design. Clerkenwheels is a fantastic initiative, and we are thrilled to support the riders on their journey. David Collins Studio has welcomed several brilliant design graduates through the programme since 2020. United in Design does fantastic work to drive meaningful change across our industry, and we are proud to help champion its impact,’ says Iain Watson, David Collins Studio ceo.
‘We’re delighted to be hosting the Clerkenwheels finishing line at our new London showroom during Clerkenwell Design Week. It’s a privilege to welcome the riders and supporters into our space in support of United in Design: a cause that’s incredibly close to our work and hearts. We hope our showroom becomes a vibrant hub for connection, collaboration and positive change within the architecture and design industry and we are thrilled to start by celebrating this milestone for Clerkenwheels,’ says Caroline Olah, Reddie founder.
The education and outreach programme aims to encourage young people from underrepresented communities and diverse socio-economic backgrounds into the industry through knowledge, experience and career planning.
The Clerkenwheels ride will begin on Friday 15 May and take in Topsham, Sherborne, Salisbury and Farnham before setting off for London.
‘We’d love others from the industry to join the ride for the final day and would also be delighted for other companies in the industry to become involved in supporting the adventure along the way,’ says the duo.
Visit clerkenwheels.com or search Justgiving.com to support the initiative.
Pictured are Sophie Ashby and Alex Dauley, United in Design founders; Forster; and Bourne.
