Ed Phillis (left) pictured outside FACE, where a CAB drop- in service operates, with charity CEO Debbie Teml and Filton town clerk Simon Davies
By Lucy Frost
A Bristol dad has completed a ‘Tour de CAB’ fundraiser by cycling to all Citizens Advice drop-in locations across South Gloucestershire – including at FACE in Filton – in a single day.
Ed Phillis is a ‘Help to Claim’ adviser for the charity, where he supports people through the process of making a first-time Universal Credit claim. He took on the ride to raise awareness of the vital work done by the charity and to date, has raised £700.
Mr Phillis, who started in Thornbury and finished in Yate, said: “Luckily, the rain held off, no injuries and no mechanical failures!
“But the real highlight of the ride was meeting so many people at the different Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire outreach sessions.
“It really brought home just how important community centres and village halls are to the communities they serve, and how valued the Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire drop-in sessions are as part of the support offered from these venues.
“South Gloucestershire is such a varied county, encompassing urban, industrial and rural communities, and I was struck by the number of great cycle routes connecting them.
“A big thank you to everyone who took the time to chat, to everyone involved in organising the outreach sessions, and to everyone who supported the fundraising.
“It was a long day in the saddle, but a really worthwhile one.”
Ed’s journey was roughly 35 miles long, visiting each of the 12
locations where the charity runs a free advice drop-in session.
These sessions allow members of the public to get much-needed support from the charity without an appointment.
In 2025-26, the charity supported over 7,300 people and saved clients a combined total of £15 million – averaging at more than £2,000 per person.
Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire’s CEO, Chantal Watts said: “I’d like to say a huge congratulations to Ed on his successful bike ride.
“To date we’ve raised just over £700 and I can’t stress how important our outreaches are to this organisation.
“It means that people who have travelling disabilities can get here, they can reach advice every single day of the week – and Ed’s journey today has highlighted that.”
To sponsor the dad-of-two’s fundraiser visit: www.justgiving.com/page/casg-ed