A TEAM of cyclists is already more than halfway to giving Huddersfield’s sick children a £10,000 boost.
Four businessmen are gearing-up for a tough 860-mile challenge next month to raise vital funds for Brackenhall’s Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.
The group is planning to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats in just six days – half the time it normally takes to complete the gruelling route.
They will need to pedal 150 miles a day to reach their target, requiring 12 hours of strenuous cycling each day, burning around 10,000 calories.
Organiser James Sutherland, 31, said all the cyclists have been pushing themselves to the limit to prepare for the mission and have even managed to complete a 150-mile practice passing through Holme Moss.
He added: “Our team comprises of individuals from the construction industry of varying skills and experience in endurance events.
“Each participant has already invested a significant amount of time in building up the strength and stamina required to make it through the 900 miles with strict diets, daily training routines and the occasional 5am early morning practice ride.
“On one ride, earlier in the year, the team’s water bottles actually froze.
“I am absolutely overcome by the amount of support this event has already generated in addition to the level of commitment the team have shown and the amount of hours they are putting in. We have already managed to raise over 60% of our target which is incredible.”
Their hilly route will see them cycle the equivalent height of Mount Everest.
James, who is managing director of Huddersfield-based glazing contractors Dortech, will be teaming up with his colleague Mark Zimny, 31, along with Andy Bell, of Wates Construction, and Craig Turner, of Senior Architectural Systems, for the fundraising event.
Their route will start at Land’s End on May 28, passing through Taunton, Telford, Kendal, Stirling and Aviemore before arriving at John O’Groats.
They will exist by eating high-energy flapjacks and drinking specialist gel packs every 10 minutes to replenish the calories.
The team will also be accompanied on the final 10 miles of each day for morale support by Dortech’s chairman, Steve Sutherland and SAS operations director, Mark Wadsworth.
Kate Goldring, partnership development manager at the hospice said: “We just can’t believe the lengths that our supporters will go to and this is one of the toughest challenges we have seen.
“The funds raised through the event are so important and will go towards the £2.5m needed annually to sustain the hospice and all of its services.”
To sponsor the team visit www.justgiving.com/teams/LandsEndtoJohnOGroats.
