School Playground Equipment Company Rides Coast to Coast for Children's Charity
Playforce, a local company which manufactures high quality school playground equipment, is planning to raise thousands of pounds for the Bristol-based charity Hop, Skip and Jump.
Managing Director Edward Webb will be joining three members of his staff –Andrew Whittles, Chris Straw and Stuart Kingman – on a gruelling three day cycle ride from Whitehaven in Cumbria to Tynemouth in North Tyneside.
The 140 mile coast to coast trip is one of Britain’s most popular long distance cycle routes but, with some seriously hard climbs and off road sections, it will test the men’s stamina to the limit. The ride will take place from 31 August to 2 September.
In preparation for the event, Roseanne Gunning, a Playforce sales consultant who is also a qualified personal trainer, is helping the team with their fitness.
‘We’re concentrating on strength, stamina, agility and speed,’ said Roseanne. ‘The programme includes strength and power training – together with cardio-vascular cross-training exercises which will ensure they are up to the challenge. I have utter confidence in their nutritional knowledge and requirements as they have been adequately trained in ‘carb loading’ for years!’
Each of the cyclists needs to raise £250 in personal sponsorship and Playforce has pledged to match every pound – effectively doubling the proceeds to at least £2000.
‘We want to do as much as we can for Hop, Skip and Jump, a play and support centre that provides day care and supervised play for children and young people with special needs,’ said Edward Webb, who runs Playforce with his wife Rachael. ‘The cycle ride is a serious challenge for all four of us but, as individuals and as a company, we believe that play is a crucial part of any child’s development and we wholeheartedly support the charity’s aim of expanding the play facilities available at their centre in Bristol.
‘Knowing that our efforts will have helped one more child have fun is worth all the pain!’
