12 months ago a firefighter thought what a great idea it would be to cycle from Land's End to John O'Groats ... and so begins the story..
Following weeks of organization, meetings and training sessions, a group of ten firefighters from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service cycled from Lands' End to John O'Groats over a ten day period.
During their preparations for the event, the team quickly came to realize that other people could benefit from their adventure. As such they decided to raise money through sponsorship. (It must be noted that the riders self-financed their trip and that all donations and money collected from the charity events has been passed directly to the charities)
But, it didn't stop there!
In March members of the team held a street collection in the Darwin Shopping Centre, Shrewsbury. This collection raised over £1000 for the nominated charities.
In April, the team held a charity auction evening at the Lion Hotel in Shrewsbury. Local people and businesses kindly donated a number of items and services for auction. As a result the event raised £2,300 for charity.
Charity raffles were also held. Prizes for which, included mountain bikes and a staggering 11 kilogram bar of Cadbury's Dairy Milk Chocolate, all kindly donated by members of the public.
The beginning of May saw the team embark upon their ten day journey. During the ride further funds were donated by members of the public that the team met on their travels.
In total the fundraising for charity amounted to a grand total of £6,570.
Today those funds were presented to the three nominated charities during a lunch kindly provided by the Chief Fire Officer of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service - Alan Taylor.
MacMillan Cancer Relief
Firefighter Kev Rogers presents the cheque to Anne-Marie Davies and Elodie Home, Fundraising Manager for Macmillan Cancer Support, watched by members of the charity bike ride team, left to right: Kris Mullins, Baz Lucas, Arron Holloway, Graham Oliver, Ade Price and Ken Holder.
Hope House Children's Hospice
Firefighter Kris Mullins presents the cheque to Vanessa Lloyd, Appeals Co-ordinator of Hope House Children's Hospices in Shropshire and Powys, watched by members of the charity bike ride team, left to right: Kev Rogers, Baz Lucas, Arron Holloway, Graham Oliver, Ade Price and Ken Holder.
Fire Services National Benevolent Fund
Firefighter Ken Holder presents the cheque to Chief Fire Officer Alan Taylor on behalf of the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund watched by members of the charity bike ride team, left to right: Kev Rogers, Baz Lucas, Arron Holloway, Graham Oliver, Ade Price and Kris Mullins.
Each of these charities benefits the people of Shropshire.
Of course, this fundraising and the cycle ride itself, could not have been achieved without the help, support and assistance of others. Therefore, huge thanks go out to all the members of the public, local businesses, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, fire brigades of England and Scotland, the representatives of the charities and Merseyside Police - who kindly closed the Mersey Tunnel to allow the team to cycle through - a rare event! And last but not least, not forgetting also the colleagues, family and friends who supported this event and whose help was priceless in making it a success.
Thank you.
Date From To
Fri 5 May Depart Lands End Redruth, Cornwall
Sat 6 May Redruth, Cornwall Okehampton, Devon
Sun 7 May Okehampton, Devon Weston-Super-Mare, Avon
Mon 8 May Weston-Super-Mare, Avon Cheltenham, Gloucs
Tue 9 May Cheltenham, Gloucs Shrewsbury (1 night only!)
Wed 10 May Shrewsbury (bye, bye) Preston, Lancashire
Thu 11 May Preston, Lancashire Carlisle, Cumbria
Fri 12 May Carlisle, Cumbria Glasgow, Scotland
Sat 13 May Glasgow, Scotland Fort William, Scotland
Sun 14 May Fort William, Scotland Tain, via Inverness
Mon 15 May Tain, Scotland Arrive John O'Groats
