Three cyclists from Deloitte in Birmingham have successfully completed a 1,000 mile bike ride from John O’Groats to Land’s End.
Ashley Hollinshead, Lindsay Buckenham and Ant Thomas joined hundreds of other cyclists as they crossed the finish line after nine days in the saddle. Olympic gold medallist JamesCracknellled the 500 cyclists into Land’s End tocomplete the epic journey.
The cyclists, whichincluded Paralympic gold medallists Sarah Storey and Danny Crates,were taking part in the Deloitte Ride Across Britain to help raise money for ParalympicsGB.
The riders raised more than £300,000 which, when added to the money raised last year, gives a total of £709,920.68for the charity. Ashley, Lindsay and Ant raised more than £5,000 towards the total.
Ashley, a tax partner at Deloitte in Birmingham, said: “This was by far one of the most challenging things the three of us have ever done. The early morning starts coupled with aching muscles, variable weather conditions and uphill sections of the course made it a real mental and physical battle. But despite all of this the sense of achievement we got when we crossed the line was overwhelming. It was fantastic experience and a tremendous effort by everyone involved.”
Deloitte Ride Across Britain is an event that spans all ages, and caters for the elite down to the everyday cycling enthusiast. The youngest cyclist this year was eighteen, with the eldest a commendable seventy-one.
James Cracknell, co-founder of Threshold Sports, the company behind the event, said: “Our aim for Deloitte Ride Across Britain was to raise £1m over four years, and two years in we are over two thirds of the way there.
“This next year is massive for Britain in terms of sport, it should be inspiring the nation to get involved and challenge themselves. We feel we have created an event that allows people to push themselves to the limit and do something to be proud of.”
Tim Reddish, Chairman of ParalympicsGB, said: “Deloitte Ride Across Britain has made a fundamental difference to the preparations we can provide to British Paralympic athletes ahead of the home Games in London 2012, and we’d like to say an enormous thank you to everyone who has supported us.
“With such a huge team of Deloitte RAB riders behind us, we’re confident that we will be able to support our athletes to achieve their best when it matters most, changing perceptions towards disability sport through their performances. Importantly, the world of Paralympic sport continues after 2012 to Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016, so we strongly urge anyone who’s up for the challenge to sign up to Deloitte RAB 2012 and help to support ParalympicsGB beyond London.”
The Ride is sponsored by professional services firm Deloitte, which has been involved in disability sport since 2006. Deloitte has supported all levels of disability sport, from initial participation right through to the podium.
Picture caption: Lindsay Buckenham, Ant Thomas and Ashley Hollinshead celebrate after finishing the ride.