In the saddle for WaterAid

24/05/2010

A group of water workers are gearing up for a gruelling charity cycle ride.

Twenty four Northumbrian Water employees are preparing for a 140-mile coast to coast challenge this bank holiday weekend, to raise money for the company’s adopted international charity, WaterAid.

WaterAid provides clean drinking water, safe sanitation and hygiene education for people in Africa, Asia and the Pacific region.

The team, supported by three van drivers, who all work for the water company’s Information Systems department at Pity Me, Durham, plan to cycle from Whitehaven in Cumbria, to Sunderland, in just one weekend.

They will each cycle 12 miles on Friday, May 28, 50 miles on Saturday, May 29, 33 miles on Sunday, May 30 and complete the 140-mile journey home to Sunderland on Bank Holiday Monday, May 31.

The water workers will be collecting further donations for WaterAid when they arrive at their campsite every evening, by riding through local villages on a customised toilet bike – a bicycle with a real toilet and cistern attached as the seat!

Team member Kevin Thompson, who lives in Sunderland and works as an applications team leader at Northumbrian Water’s head office in Pity Me, Durham, said: “In this country we take clean water for granted, but more than a billion people in the world still don’t have this basic human right. The money we raise for WaterAid will lead to happier and healthier lives for many people in the developing world by giving them access to clean, safe water and sanitation.

“We are training hard for the cycle ride, but it will still be a challenge for many of us who aren’t used to covering such distances!”

In light of the difficult economic climate, the team have set a modest fundraising target of £3,000, which is enough for WaterAid to provide 200 people with a lasting supply of safe water, effective sanitation and hygiene education for life. More than £800 has already been raised in sponsorship, including a £250 boost from Northumbrian Water’s employee sponsorship fund, Cheque it Out.

Well wishers are encouraged to visit http://original.justgiving.com/NWL_IS_C2C_BikeRide before the end of June 2010 to make a donation.

The cyclists have been supported in their challenge by local companies, Vehicle Lease & Services, who are providing three support vans, Cardium, who will cover the cost of fuel for the vans, and
Star-Apic and SEAMS (Wilco software), who have each made donations for the ride.

For further information please contact Leanne Clough on 0191 301 6733.

List of Coast to Coast challenge cyclists by home town

County Durham

Tyne & Wear

Northumberland

Teesside