Accountants commit to a 180 mile bike ride to raise money for cancer charity
(OPENPRESS) Managers from accountancy firm Ballard Dale Syree Watson are currently in training for their annual biking fund raiser; a gruelling journey from Shrewsbury, Shropshire to Fishguard in Pembrokeshire.
Setting a precedent this year, seasoned riders Peter Herniman, Paul Gee and Jay Gibson will be joined by their colleague James Ellis who is new to the demands of the long-haul bike ride. The punishing 180 mile trip includes cycling through the notorious Black Mountains, a group of hills spreading throughout Powys, Monmouthshire and extending across the Herefordshire border. The highest summit is a staggering 2,661 feet above sea level.
The intrepid four are undertaking the trip to raise money for Cancer Research UK. They hope to raise £2,000 with a little bit of help of some match funding from their benevolent bosses at Ballards.
Cancer Research UK was formed in 2002, following the merger of The Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. It is now the biggest single independent funder of cancer research in Europe, supporting the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses across the UK. Today it is helping more people to beat cancer than ever before.
Each year the team at Ballards set themselves a challenge. They plot and plan the route and organise the entire trip's logistics from start to finish. This year they have had a practise run as they all participated in the London to Brighton Bike Ride as a warm up event; a modest 65 miles.
To accomplish the required levels of fitness the team have embarked upon a rigorous physical training programme of riding three to four times a week. They also run regularly to build up strength and stamina.
Tax manager Peter Herniman said: "Every one of us in our small group has been touched by someone, a friend or relative that has suffered from the devastating effects of cancer and that's why we were all unanimous in wanting to raise funds for Cancer UK.
"Of course we're doing the cycle challenge to raise money for a good cause but we get so much more out of it as a team than a feeling of shared altruism. When you're embarking upon something as physically challenging as 180 mile bike ride over punishing terrain, you really get to know your colleagues and totally rely on them.
"We're all basically out of our normal 'suited and booted accountancy comfort zones' and the feeling of camaraderie it creates is fantastic. I can't think of a better team building event that would test the consolidated strength of our team, which in a way then transfers back to the work place. We have all become such good friends."
If you are interested in sponsoring the ambitious biking accountants visit: http://www.justgiving.com/TheWelshTrip
