The owner of an IT firm is gearing up for a busy year of fundraising for local charities that includes a family fun run and an epic bike ride to Skegness.
Lee Jepson, founder of L.E.A.D. IT Services and a former Noel-Baker Academy pupil, will cycle the 100 miles from Derby to the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre in Lincolnshire, raising vital funds for the charity that, last year, provided 360 children from the county with a five-day seaside stay.
Money raised from the bike ride will, for 2024 – the 10th anniversary of the ‘SkegVegas’ trip – be split between the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre and Derby Kids’ Camp; a volunteer-led charity committed to providing free holidays for the city and county’s most deserving young children.
Lee is also preparing for the Derby 10k Family Fun Run – part of the annual race around the city – which will be sponsored by L.E.A.D. IT Services.
He said: “The Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre holds a special place in my heart, as the charity provided me with a seaside break when I was younger.
“I will be volunteering this year with Derby Kids Camp, too, so the 10th anniversary of the much-loved SkegVegas bike ride, which will raise funds for both charities, proved an ideal opportunity to take part.”
L.E.A.D. IT Services provide IT solutions to businesses and schools across the UK. They currently work with 70% of Derby schools – including growing multi-academy trusts including Embark Federation and Reach2 Academy – and have recently moved into new premises, on Pride Park.
In the past, L.E.A.D. IT Services have sponsored the England Dodgeball Team and Derby-based Mickleover FC Girls.
They currently sponsor Notts County Ladies FC and, in 2019, they supported the Project Zao Schools Football Tournament, which saw junior teams in the East Midlands compete for the ‘Community Engagement Champions Cup’.
Organised by the Derby East Safer Neighbourhood team, the aim of the tournament was to educate youngsters about knife crime.
