Getting on their bikes for charity, the 6th Norton Explorer Scout Group as they prepare to embark on a coast to coast challenge.
Sherwoods sponsor Coast to Coast event
CYCLING scouts have been doing a good turn for charity after pedalling the width of Britain. Members of the 6th Norton Explorer Scout Group have tackled the arduous Coast to Coast cycle route from Workington to Sunderland, a three day marathon totalling 136 miles.
The efforts of the nine scouts and five helpers are expected to raise about £1,000 for the Butterwick Hospice at Stockton where one of the riders helps out. The explorers and their helpers loaded their bikes late on Friday night into a specially marked van provided by their sponsor Vauxhall dealer Sherwoods, which has dealerships in Stockton, Darlington and Northallerton.
They then travelled to Workington hoping to get ten miles under their belts before bedtime. Saturday saw them compete 45 miles through the Lake District and Sunday the most gruelling test, 40 miles including the toughest climb to Alston. That left 46 miles to complete on Monday to journey’s end in Sunderland.
Helper Steve Kreczac said: “It’s an amazing challenge. Some sections are off road where you are lucky to do 8mph. Others are fast where you can reach speeds of more than 40mph. We have been training since February in the Cleveland Hills and this will help some of the lads achieve their Duke of Edinburgh awards. We are really grateful to Sherwoods for lending us a brand new van and actually putting the troop’s name on the side.”
Sherwoods MD Alasdair MacConachie said: “Young people are often accused of leading sedentary lives in front of the TV and computers. This is proof that this is not always the case and we are delighted to help them raise what will be welcomed funds for the Butterwick Hospice.”
Taking part were helpers Mick Gibson, Steve Kreczac, Mark Rees and Chris and Martin McGough and explorer scouts Michael McGough, Adrian Cheeseman, Tom Jones, Liam Gardener, Daniel Salmon, Andrew Jarvis, Greg Smith, John Bemrose and Simon Rees.
