Wheel be Ready!

GM Fundraising's Ride 4 Hope team is now putting the final preparations together for its 17 day cycle ride across the USA in September, later this year. The group has already enjoyed several successful training weekends and there's a 5-day trip to Majorca planned in late April, once the Glassex festivities have died down.

The objective of Ride 4 Hope is to help raise over £100,000 for Hope House Children's Hospices, following the successes of the Top 2 Bottom and Tower 2 Tower rides. The gruelling schedule will involve a 17 day cycle ride from San Diego to Atlantic City, amounting to 3,046 miles and over 108,000 feet of climbing. Each day 3 teams of 4 riders will cover on average a total of 190 miles, with one day at an astounding 270 miles, in 12 hours, longer than most stages of the Tour de France.

The team includes a number of well-known figures from the glazing industry: Gary Morton; Iain McInnes; Andrew Glover; Gary Torr; Richard Gyde; Graeme Bailey; Keith Aspinall; Alan Sadler; Dave Thomas; Mark Sheldon; John Olkiewicz and Sean Pearce. In addition, the riders will be supported on the road by Dave Broxton and Alan Tupman along with support from the UK by Hope House.

The whole event requires a significant commitment from individuals not only to raise as much money as possible, but also to the training required. Changes to diet, coaching and investment in new bicycles are just some of the elements that the riders have had to consider alongside family and work commitments. This is clearly a once in a lifetime opportunity on a personal level for the team, but more importantly the opportunity to help those less fortunate at Hope House.

'There is now a Just Giving web page set up and it is hoped that the industry will get right behind the event and help support all those involved. Each rider will be expected to raise a minimum of £5,000 not to mention the significant personal cost of participating, as every penny raised will go directly to the charity. So dig deep and help us with your support, there are even a few sponsorship opportunities remaining!'

For further information log on to http://www.gmfundraising.co.uk.