On 23^rd June, Neil Horner, the unflappable Distribution Manager at Hildon, will saddle up and ride 103 miles as part of Hospitality Action’s Summer Cycle Challenge. That’s 103 miles. On a bike. Under his own steam. No engine. No downhill cheats. In fact he’s checked out the route and clocked a few challenging uphills. So just legwork, sweat, and what I imagine will be a highly curated playlist of motivational anthems and perhaps a small internal monologue screaming “Why? Oh why, did I get talked into this? Why!”

Why indeed. Why would a man with a perfectly respectable job involving logistics, planning, and – let’s be honest – ensuring Britain’s best restaurants never run dry of crystal-clear Hampshire-sourced natural mineral water, decide to put his thighs through such torment?

In our defence, this is the kind of thing Neil does for fun, maybe 103 miles is pushing it a little! But the reason here is Hospitality Action. If you’ve ever enjoyed a night out, a meal that changed your life, or an amazing glass of vino delivered with grace in a Michelin-starred dining room, you’ve got hospitality workers to thank. But behind the polish of polished cutlery and folded napkins lies an industry that runs on long hours, short breaks, and sheer force of will. And when things go wrong – illness, mental health crises, addiction, financial hardship – it’s Hospitality Action that steps in with practical, emotional, and financial support.

They are, to be blunt, the safety net for an industry that too often has none. And at Hildon, whose bottles grace the tables of the UK’s most celebrated hospitality venues – from swanky city rooftops to countryside culinary retreats – supporting this cause feels like a natural fit. Without the hospitality business, where would Hildon be?

“We wanted to give something back,” says Neil, with the sort of understatement you expect from a man preparing to cycle the length of three marathons in one sitting. “This is our industry too. Our water is part of that experience, whether it’s poured alongside a tasting menu or on the bedside of a weary traveller.  Supporting the people behind that magic? It’s more than just a good cause.”

Now, before you conjure images of Neil wobbling down a country lane on a borrowed bike in his work trousers, let me clarify: he’s a keen cyclist. The sort who knows his lycra from his leg warmers. The sort who uses the word “cadence” without irony. But even for a seasoned rider, 103 miles is no Sunday morning spin to the farm shop.

The route itself is a pastoral punishment, winding through some of England’s most scenic countryside – which, translated from cycling code, means “undulating.” That’s a polite way of saying there will be hills. Many of them. It’s a route that will test not just physical stamina but mental grit.

There will be moments – probably around mile 80, when the legs have turned to soup and the last energy bar tastes like regret – when Neil will question every life choice that led to this point. But there will also be moments of quiet joy: misty hedgerows, the whir of tyres on tarmac, the shared nod of fellow cyclists all suffering for a cause bigger than themselves.

And, crucially, Neil will be sure to stay hydrated! Cold, crisp, natural salvation in a bottle. Because you didn’t think the Transport Manager of a natural mineral water company was going to forget hydration, did you?

Internally at Hildon HQ, the whole company is behind Neil’s ride, with our CEO has given Neil the day to complete the 103 miles. “It’s not just about doing good,” says Ashley Ramamoorthy “It’s about doing it in a way that reflects who we are – committed, quietly ambitious, and always connected to the heart of the hospitality industry. ”

And while Neil pedals towards his triple-digit goal, he’ll be carrying the support of colleagues, clients, and countless hospitality workers whom Hospitality Action supports daily. It’s a tough road – literally and metaphorically – but it’s one that ends in impact.

So, if you spot a flash of lycra or indeed an army of ardent cyclists speeding through the countryside on 23rd June, give a cheer. Or better yet, donate to Hospitality Action and help ease the burden for those who’ve spent their careers easing ours.

Neil may be the one riding, but Hildon are right behind him. You can sponsor Neil and support Hospitality action.