A Most Unusual Fundraiser

Founded over 150 years ago, The Pickwick Bicycle Club is the world’s oldest cycling club and the longest-standing Dickensian association.

Earlier this year, we received a generous and rather unexpected boost from a very special group. The Pickwick Bicycle Club, thought to be the oldest cycling club in the world, raised an incredible £3,210 for The Good Company People at one of their formal luncheons in May.

The Pickwick Club is a wonderful mix of tradition, eccentricity and generosity. Its members all adopt character names from Charles Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers and gather regularly to celebrate the things they love most: good company, good humour and the enduring charm of the penny farthing. When our CEO Lucy Buck arrived at the fundraising lunch in jeans, having missed the memo on the dress code, she quickly realised this was no ordinary club. The room was filled with bowler hats, ceremonial toasts and plenty of stories.

We are especially grateful to Andy Ash, the club’s current Chair, for nominating us and making the donation possible. It reminded us that fundraising doesn't have to follow the usual rules. In fact, some of the most meaningful support often comes from the most unexpected places. At Good Company, we value personality, flair and the stories behind the giving. Thank you to the Pickwick Bicycle Club for supporting ours.

Whilst we are on the subject of penny farthings...

We would love to tell you about Peter Berry and Deb Bunt, if you don’t know of them already. Peter is a long-distance cyclist who lives with dementia and is known for his epic rides on a penny farthing. His story is both moving and uplifting, showing that life does not stop with a diagnosis. Together with Deb, his friend and writing partner, he has shared his journey with honesty, humour and insight.

Their first book, Slow Puncture, charts Peter’s experience of young-onset dementia and the unlikely friendship that changed both of their lives. It is a powerful read for anyone interested in what it really means to live with dementia. Peter and Deb also have a second book coming out on 28th February 2026, called Patching the Puncture and we cannot wait to get our hands on it.

If you are looking for more personal stories like theirs, AlzAuthors is a brilliant online resource that brings together books, blogs and podcasts by people living with dementia, carers, and those supporting them. It is one of our favourite places to discover honest, hopeful voices.