Pictured above: Paul Gee, Peter Herniman and Jay
Gibson
Three accountants from Droitwich-firm Ballard Dale Syree Watson
are setting off shortly on a punishing bike ride to raise money for
Worcester and Hereford's branch of Age UK.
Last year, audit and tax managers Paul Gee and Peter Herniman
embarked on a gruelling adventure cycling from London to Paris.
They raised a staggering £1,300 for Cancer Research UK.
This year Paul and Peter will be joined by colleague Jay Gibson
on a cycling challenge called Sea to Sea. It will involve riding
from the Irish Sea coastal town of Whitehaven to the City of
Sunderland, situated at the mouth of the River Wear which flows
into the North Sea.
On the 15th of July the trio will set off from Whitehaven, where
their biggest challenge will be crossing the Pennines. The
demanding 140 mile trip will involve cycling at exhausting
altitudes particularly when they reach their highest point at 1,900
feet above sea level.
After last year's London to Paris challenge the friends wanted
to do something that would push them physically as well as raising
money for a charity close to their hearts, Age UK.
Jay Gibson sadly lost his grandfather earlier this year and he
was touched by the level of emotional support and practical help
that Age UK gave to his family. The keen cyclists are hoping that
they will exceed last year's fund raising target and raise
£1,500.
Mr Herniman, said that last year's challenge was made more
difficult by having to navigate their way through remote parts of
France with very little knowledge of the language or the
infrastructure. However he feels that cycling over the Pennines
will be a real test of endurance in terms of the stamina and
physical strength they will require.
He said:"Crossing the Pennines will really be the most
challenging part of the journey with the undulating roads and in
some parts quite rough terrain. However we have been in serious
training now for weeks and we are all really confident that we can
achieve our physical goals and our fund raising target.
"I think the charity we have chosen is something that ultimately
affects all of us. Age UK are fantastic advocates for the elderly
raising awareness of the issues faced by older people. From
national scientific research into diseases such as dementia or
simply helping to improve the quality of life for people locally,
we think the charity's work is worthy of our support."