Search diver’s bike ride bid for Alder Hey
APOLICE diver based in Runcorn is preparing to swap his flippers for a bicycle to raise cash for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
Gareth Olley, 37, who works at the Northwest Police Underwater Search Unit ( NPUSU) in Runcorn, will be embarking on a solo bike ride on Tuesday, July 25, visiting each of the six police force headquarters covered by his team.
The ride will take Gareth from Penrith to Preston, onto Liverpool and Manchester city centres, with a stop at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital on the way, before continuing south to Winsford in and finishing off in Colwyn Bay on the Welsh coast.
It follows a Lands End to John O’Groats ride he completed in 2013 during which five Merseyside Police officers cycled in a non-stop relay and raised more than £6,000 for Ronald McDonald House at Alder Hey.
During this July’s feat, Gareth will be meeting friends and colleagues at their respective police headquarters, where he will stop for coffee and cake.
Riders are also welcome to join him for stretches of a few miles along the way.
Speaking about the upcoming challenge Gareth, of Ormskirk, said: “What the hospital deal with day in and day out pulls at my heart and so I would like to put a little bit back in to help the poorly children and their families.
“One of my children is currently under treatment with them, albeit nothing too serious thankfully.
“However a few friends have used Alder Hey, and one in particular have had their daughter in and out of the hospital for open heart surgery amongst some other life saving treatment.
“Their daughter has just started school this year and the work the hospital do is just amazing.
“The total distance to be covered will be around 230 leg sapping miles, and this will be ridden by me in one day.”
Gareth added: “I would welcome any support on the day and if you would like to donate to this very worthy cause then any ● amount pledged will be greatly appreciated – even the loose change in your pockets. Also, if there are any companies out there who would like to sponsor this event by providing some of the small but necessary items needed to make this challenge possible, such as nutrition and clothing, that would be a great help.”
To donate or take part visit the Cops Cycle For Kids Just Giving page or email Gareth at motorolley@gmail.com