Coast-to-coast bike riders raise thousands for charity that’s close to their hearts
FIVE local business professionals have raised over £4,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society after completing a 140-mile coast to coast bike ride.
The charity ride, from Whitehaven to Tynemouth, was organised by Andy Webster of Southport accountancy firm Moore and Smalley.
Andy and his four riding partners, Tom Flanagan, Mark Day, Matt Dunham and Paul Roberts, chose the charity because family members have been affected by dementia.
With Phil Evans acting as support driver, the quintet completed the ride over four days from May 17-20 to coincide with Dementia Awareness Week.
Andy said: “There were ups and downs, both physically and mentally, but it was well worth it.
“We have been so touched by the generosity of people and our original target of £3,500 has been well beaten.
“When we stopped at a pub to eat on the first night, we won the pub quiz and so the twenty pound winnings also went in the fundraising pot.’’
He added: “A couple on the next table donated a tenner.
“Most people will know someone who has been touched by this terrible illness.
“It was important to us to be able to do something to support Alzheimer’s research and give something back to the community.”
The route taken by the group is one of the official Coast to Coast routes and included the gruelling 1,900 feet climb up Hartside, which featured in a stage of the 2015 Tour of Britain cycle race, concluding at the summit. also