Wine trade rallies for Charles Ridler Walk

The Wine Trade Sports Club is organising a 12-mile walk around London to support a long-standing member of the UK trade and keen cricket player who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Charles Ridler (batting) at an early stage in his cricket career

After nearly 40 years in the wine trade, having worked for companies including OW Loeb, H Parrot & Co, Paragon Vintners and most recently Laurent Perrier, Charles Ridler was forced to take early retirement last summer.

Ridler was a member of the WTSC from the late 1970s onwards, with stints as President and as a trustee of the club’s foundation, which is now seeking to raise funds for him through this event.

Taking place on Sunday 26 April, the event will retrace the route of an original wine trade walk which took place in 1971. Starting at Vintners’ Hall, it will take in “pit stops” at venues including Berry Bros & Rudd in St James’s and Davy’s wine bar by Guildhall, before a Laurent Perrier Champagne tea back at Vintners’ Hall. Fancy dress is optional but “actively encouraged”.

The foundation is asking each walker to raise a minimum of £100, with 10% of all proceeds being donated to The Alzheimer’s Society.

Explaining the decision to hold this event for Ridler, current President of the Wine Trade Sports Club, Christo Eliott Lockhart, said: “Whilst he is not yet requiring support, we wanted to set in place a fund for him, so that when the situation arises, the Foundation will have a pot of money invested for his benefit.”

For more information about the event or to donate, click here. Anyone wishing to take part in the walk should email Christo Eliott Lockhart at cel@fells.co.uk.