A Stone business owner is set to swap the treatment room for a bike saddle next month, as part of her efforts to raise money ahead of a charity cycle ride to Bloodstock festival.
Maeve McAnulty, who runs The Metal Masseuse in Stone, will spend the day cycling in Carla’s shop window during Stone Farmers’ Market on Saturday 4 April, raising money and awareness for The Heavy Metal Truants.
The charity challenge will see riders travel from London to Bloodstock Open Air in Derbyshire over three days in August. Heavy Metal Truants says the event supports children’s charities including Childline, Teenage Cancer Trust, Nordoff & Robbins and Save the Children, and the organisation says it has raised more than £1.5 million through its rides over the years.
A Stone fundraiser with a metal edge
Maeve has been approaching Stone and Staffordshire businesses for sponsorship and prize donations as she works towards her fundraising target.
She has also gathered raffle prizes from businesses in and around the town, including Carla, The Wandering Bee and Mishka, along with four tickets donated by Alton Towers.
On farmers’ market day, people will be able to buy raffle tickets, make a cash donation, or give directly through a QR code linked to the fundraising page.
It is a slightly unusual sight, even by High Street standards, someone pedalling away in a shop window for hours, but that is very much the point. The aim is to stop people for a moment, get them asking questions, and turn a busy market day into a fundraiser.
Why Maeve signed up
Maeve said taking on the ride is well outside her comfort zone.
She said she has “never in my life cycled that far before” and will need all the support she can get before setting off in August.
Cycling has long been part of her life. She remembers being frightened when she first ditched the stabilisers, and says she used to go out on summer evening rides with her dad. Later, an old pink Peugeot bike from a charity shop got her to work for years.
But for Maeve, this is about more than distance.
She said one of the core values behind The Metal Masseuse was always to give something back. Before starting the business, she worked in charity retail, and said she valued being part of something bigger than the day to day routine.
She was drawn to the Heavy Metal Truants through a fellow rider, and said the charities behind the event match the values that matter to her, inclusivity, individuality, kindness and community.
Support from local businesses
Maeve said she has been encouraged by the response from Stone businesses already, and hopes more firms may get involved, either through direct sponsorship or by donating products, vouchers or experiences.
That local backing is set to be visible on Saturday 4 April when she takes over the Carla’s window on the High Street.
For shoppers heading into town for the farmers’ market, it will be one more reason to pause, have a chat, and perhaps put a few pounds towards the cause.
And for Maeve, it will be one stage of a much longer ride still to come.
To donate
To donate, or find out more, visit Maeve’s fundraising page – https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/12258/maeve-mcanultys-hmt-2026-if-you-want-bloodstock-yo/
You can also find out more about The Metal Masseuse on our business directory – https://directory.alittlebitofstone.com/business/the-metal-masseuse/
