SilverBug charity effort gets back on the bike to go that Extra Mile!
July 22, 2010
Three employees of local IT outsourcing company SilverBug Ltd are getting back on their bikes in pursuit of the companies £10K in ’10 charity challenge. Earlier in the year the management at SilverBug set the company a challenge to raise £10,000 for charity during 2010. So far this challenge has been met by employees and managers completing the Race for Life in Milton Keynes, cycling Land’s End to John O’Groats amongst a number of other fundraising activities. So far the company has raised well over £6,000 towards its target.
The three intrepid cyclists, Owen Daley, Richard Smith and Alan Matthews are being joined by ex-pro cyclist Paul Watson to complete the Extra Mile Challenge on 24th to 26th of September later this year. The 500 mile route sees the team cycle through Belgium and France finally ending up in Germany’s Black Forest. Representing Willen Hospice, the team hope to raise over £1,500.
Owen Daley, MD of SilverBug said “Being able to cycle through what promises to be some stunning country side whilst raising money for a very worthy cause in Willen Hospice is something we are all really looking forward to. It is not often that you get the chance to join an ex professional cyclist in a 500 mile cycle ride over 3 days and through 3 countries. We are hoping that Paul will be able to give us all some tips during our training to help us prepare successfully for this little challenge.”
As an amateur, Paul won the British national road race championships but is best known for his headline hitting 6th place in Fleche Wallone in 1987. In an unheard of result for a small British pro team, Paul joined Stephen Roche, Claude Criquelion and eventual winner Jean Claude Leclerq in the race winning move. Since retiring as a professional cyclist Paul has maintained his links with professional cycling providing TV commentary on the Tour De France.
The team are riding to raise much needed financial support for Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes, their chosen charity. Willen Hospice offers an invaluable service in the local community providing specialist physical, emotional, spiritual and practical support to people with life limiting conditions and their families. Only 23% of Willen's costs are met by the NHS. For the rest they rely on financial support from donors, business supporters and the voluntary efforts of the community.
Paul Hinson, Chief Executive of Willen Hospice commented: “We rely heavily on the support of our local community to ensure we can continue to provide our specialist, advanced care. I am extremely grateful to SilverBug and the team for taking on the Extra Mile Challenge for the Hospice and wish them well”
If you would like to find out more information or to make a donation to help the team meet their target visit http://www.justgiving.com/willen-us-to-the-black-forest. You can also contact SilverBug directly at enquiries@silverbug.com
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