Tour de France inspires a fund-raising challenge

Four Yorkshire cycling enthusiasts were so inspired by the Tour de France on their home soil that they have travelled to France to undertake a grueling charity bike ride. On the way they will be raising money for Airedale NHS Foundation Trust’s new Endoscopy Suite, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Breast Cancer Care and the Skipton branch of the Rotary Club. Pictured are Ray Cryer, Kevin Owens of Hologic UK, Christa Baldwin and Kevin Wharton who aim to raise £20,000 for the four charities.

The challenge began on August 6 on the south coast of France as they set out for Yorkshire 1,200 miles away, taking in many of the iconic alpine climbs associated with le Tour such as Mont Ventoux, Col du Glandon, Col du Telegraphe and Col de la Croix de Fer.

Breast health sales specialist Kevin Owens works at Hologic UK and the company is sponsoring the team and their outfits. Breast health product and marketing manager Paul Scully said: “We were delighted to support one of our colleagues on this fantastic venture and, given the charities that the team selected, we just had to support four such worthy causes. Kevin has worked closely with his local hospital at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust over many years and support of its needs and the work of Breast Cancer Care in particular is a great pleasure.”

To help reach the £20k target, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/legrandvelo.info

See the full report on page 7 of the August 2014 issue of RAD Magazine.