Rivs Riders raise over £30,000 for RNCM Young Artists

We want to say a huge thank you and congratulations to Ben Dunne and the entire Riv’s Riders team for completing the Le Tour du Mont Blanc challenge, raising over £30,000 for RNCM Young Artists.

Noted as the toughest one-day cycling challenge in the world, Le Tour de Mont Blanc sees riders travel 338km across three countries, reaching an incredible height of 8500m. Completing it requires flawless preparation, extraordinary courage, and the determination to exceed your limits.

Ben, who established the River Reeves Foundation in 2016 in memory of his son and Viola Beach bandmates, started his ongoing support for RNCM Young Artists earlier this year by donating proceeds of Viola Beach’s self-titled album to the initiative.

£50,000 Target

The money raised from this challenge, which Ben hopes will smash his £50,000 target, will make a considerable impact in transforming the lives of young musicians in Greater Manchester.

Writing on Facebook just after the event, he said: ‘Difficult to put in words what happened yesterday. 7 riders and 4 support team gave everything to take on Le Tour du Mont Blanc. We now all know why its regarded as the toughest cycling challenge in the world!…No one left anything in the tank. It was very very tough!’

Rhiannon McKay-Smith, RNCM Director of Development, said: ‘Everyone here wants to congratulate Ben and the team for completing this unbelievably hard challenge and supporting Young Artists. The money raised will make a huge difference to young musicians in the region. Thank you!’

Delivered by our world-renowned Popular Music Department, RNCM Young Artists launches in September, offering year-round weekly sessions focused on composition, production and performance.

With full access to our fully equipped, state-of-the-art recording and producing studios, participants will work in bands, creating, recording and distributing original music and sharing their work in informal, friendly gigs and showcases.

To make a donation and help Riv’s Riders smash their £50,000 target, click here.

20 July 2022