Aico pedal the Borders for Lingen Davies Cancer Fund

On Sunday, 25 July, 100 riders departed from Aico’s Oswestry headquarters at 08:30am to take on the challenge of cycling 100km, from the Shropshire countryside into the Welsh hills. Beginning and ending at Aico, the ride took in miles of stunning local scenery, including the Tanat Valley and Lake Vyrnwy, with some challenging aspects. The first riders arrived back at Aico before noon, with the final riders completing the cycle around 3pm. Upon arrival back at Aico, cyclists enjoyed some well-deserved refreshments and were awarded an attractive finishing medal for their accomplishment. Providing more than just spectacular views, the route proved to be a real challenge for both cyclists and their bikes, but St John’s Ambulance crews were on hand to support those that needed it.

Aico were delighted to be able to host and support this event, with 21 Aico colleagues from across the UK taking part in the ride, and more colleagues volunteering to help coordinate the event. Aico colleagues raised a fantastic £4,661 for Lingen Davies Cancer Fund. Keen cyclist Michael Wright, Product Development Manager for Aico, followed a challenging training schedule to prepare for Pedal the Borders, including hilly cycles around Glyn Ceiriog as well as flatter routes towards Ruyton-XI-Towns to work on speed. Michael was the fifth person to finish the event, completing the cycle in a speedy 3 hours 23 minutes, and commented: ‘It was fantastic to be part of Pedal the Borders and helping to raise money for Lingen Davies Cancer Fund. The route was brilliant with the scenery of Lake Vyrnwy being a welcome sight halfway around! It was great to see so many Aico and HomeLINK colleagues taking part also, challenging themselves for such a good cause. Thank you to all the volunteers and organisers who made the event a great success and really enjoyable. I’m looking forward to next year’s event already.’

Matthew Hodgetts, Warehouse Operative for Aico, also took part in the cycle, completing the 100km as his first cycling event. Matthew found the route challenging and great fun, he says: ‘It was a tough route but enjoyable, there were times when I wasn’t sure I could go on, but the support from my colleagues and knowing we were in it together for an incredible local charity spurred me on and made me determined. It was a fantastic day and I’m really pleased to have completed it.’

Lingen Davies are pleased with the success of the day and astounded by the fundraising efforts of the local community, Helen Knight, Development Manager for Lingen Davies, says: ‘The team at Lingen Davies are absolutely delighted with the Pedal the Borders event which took place on Sunday, 25 July. We had a wonderful turn out, congratulations to all those that took on this incredible challenge. We would like to thank our sponsors who supported us, with an extra big thank you to Aico, who not only supported the event as our main sponsor but also supported with all of their staff having a role in the day, from volunteering, to actually cycling the 100km.

‘The amount we have raised has completely blown our mind, with us currently having received £32,000!

‘We continue to raise money for the CT Scanner, and also the extension of the centre in having three new clinical rooms built. This money will make a great impact into this work. We are excited to think that this appeal could be finished by March 2022, if we can continue to raise funds like those from Pedal the Borders.

‘Thank you to all those that played a part in the day, it is so wonderfully refreshing being out and about, putting events back on for people to enjoy and feel part of.’

Adrenaline Sporting Events was established in 2015 to offer new and exciting sporting opportunities and bring together a community of people to raise money for fantastic local charities. Aico are proud to be a sponsor of Adrenaline Sporting Events, supporting their events across Shropshire, Mid Wales and North Wales in various ways, including volunteering and colleague participation. For more information on upcoming events, please visit: www.adrenalinesportingevents.co.uk

Lingen Davies Cancer Fund is a local charity providing cancer support and services for those in Shropshire, Telford and Mid Wales, improving cancer treatment and care for over 75,000 people in the local area to date. Find out more here: www.lingendavies.co.uk

To find out more about Aico in the Community, please visit: www.aico.co.uk/in-the-community