You may look at this headline and say that’s old hat and you would in part be right, it’s been done hundreds of times. BUT, just maybe not the way we are doing it.
First you have a cross section of society, five retired Police Officers, a retired Doctor, two church Ministers, a Chemist, a Police civilian employee and a retired Midwife.
The actual ride is the engine of the project but it’s the ancillary pieces that make it different.
- There is a diary being kept which was started in June 2015 when the idea was conceived.
- We will be producing a 2017 calendar
- There will be a live feed from the lead rider which will be accessible through an iPhone or computer
- The most unusual aspect of the 7 day ride is the music gigs which three of the team will perform at the end of each day’s ride.
The ride is being staged to raise money for the Stockton Baptist Tabernacle Uganda Mission.
Each year a team from the church made up from various professions go out to Uganda at their own expense to carry out medical tasks, DIY, counselling and to provide support for the local community. Through a year’s sponsorship events they generate the money to allow them to take all manner of goods.
One of their main objectives is to help a disabled children’s orphanage. Some of whom may spend their entire lives lying on a floor. During last October’s visit the team made very basic frames that allow these children to actually sit up and look around, something that previously they had been unable to do. The pleasure in their little faces was clear for all to see.
The actual ride will commence on Saturday 6th May from John O Groats and finish at Land’s End 924 miles later on Friday 13th May. The team will return home on the 14th.
This project would not have been possible had it not been for the support of local businesses, Northgate Vehicle Hire, Halfords, Stockton, Makro Stockton, Newport Community Service, Middlesbrough all of whom provided product. The team is still struggling to obtain the £900 worth of fuel required for their three vehicles.
THE TEAM MEMBERS:
Andrew Waugh the senior minister at the Baptist Tabernacle and a lifelong musician, his wife Denise, a retired midwife, now team physio, David Taylor-Black the second minister from the church and a keen runner/cyclist. Doctor Phil Inch. Lydia Jordan civilian Police worker based here in Cleveland.
Peter Howe, retired Police Officer and charity fund raiser, has generated over £250,000 for charities over the years. Not bad for a guy given only a 25% chance of recovery from cancer.
He has his own one man show which he performs around 80 times a year.
Peter is in the Hall of Fame at Land’s End having completed this ride three times. He has ridden across America, Vietnam, Israel and many other countries. Like Neil and Andrew, he is a musician in his own right.
Steve Brock and wife Hazel both retired Police Officers who served in the road traffic department in Cleveland Constabulary. Steve is the organiser of the Stockton Town Pastors who can be found helping vulnerable people in the nigh time environment on Stockton High Street on Friday & Saturday nights. They work closely with Stockton Police.
Andy Fox yet another retired Police Officer and keen mountain biker. John Stapleton a chemist in the area and a keen cyclist and runner. Neil Teather, another keen cyclist who has an eye for triathlons.
The team will mainly sleep on church floors during their ride although when this is not possible, they have paid for hotel rooms. ALL of the generated money from this ride goes to the Mission.