Knauf team ends the journey from Hull with £5K in the charity bank

A team of fundraisers from Knauf Drywall has completed a four-day muscle-wracking cycle ride from its plant in Immingham, near Hull, to its Sittingbourne factory – and raised over £5000 for youth charity the Lord’s Taverners in the process.

The 20-strong team faced a four-day slog covering 237 miles. With June 2012 being the wettest on record, the weather was a big handicap – although a facing wind for most of the day was a greater challenge than the rain. Beyond that, loads of punctures, lots of ‘fallings off’, a collapsed back wheel and narrowly avoiding joining a motorway by mistake were the worst of their troubles.

The last day of the ride saw the cyclists with a mere 43 miles to complete and – with true esprit de corps – a staggered start ensured that all the team, stragglers and sprinters alike, arrived at its final destination as one body.

John Maude, Works Manager for Sittingbourne, says of the ride: “For the most part everyone enjoyed it, although I did manage to plan part of the route down a dirt track which cost me a beer for everyone! I have been gushing about the experience to everyone since, and I would encourage everyone to have a go at something like this again – it has been such a craic. And, of course, raising thousands of pounds to help underprivileged youngsters is no bad thing either”!

The Lord’s Taverners recognises that sport and recreation are essential for young people and its mission is to give a 'sporting chance' to those in need. This is achieved by focusing on youth cricket in disadvantaged areas, and sports and recreational equipment for young people with disabilities and special needs, including sports wheelchairs, specially-adapted minibuses and sensory play areas. 

Tom Rigby, Head of Fundraising at the Lord’s Taverners, said, “What a phenomenal effort both on the bikes and with the fundraising effort. With your help, we will continue to support aspiring youngsters and them the opportunity to start participating in sport”. 

Even though it’s over for this year, there’s still time to give generously to the Knauf Drywall Charity Bike Challenge by visiting: http://www.justgiving.com/knauf-drywall