Gas Engineers Go Coast to Coast for Charity

Gas engineers swapped their hard hats for cycle helmets when they got on their bikes to cycle coast-to-coast for charity.

A trio of gas engineers, who all work for United Utilities at the Kidacre Street depot in Leeds, took to their bikes to complete the challenging 135-mile trek from Workington to Sunderland in just three days.

Organiser Mick Armstrong, 57, from Shipley said: “A few of us cycled the length of the Leeds-Liverpool canal last summer and we wanted to take on a bigger challenge this time. Although this wasn’t much further in distance, there were a lot more hills to climb so it was a tougher ride.

“We did it to raise money for the Cancer Research Campaign and the Sensory and Physical Support Services Children’s Fund which works with visually, hearing or physically impaired children in Yorkshire.”

Mick was joined by gas engineers Paul Turner, 54, from Guiseley and Wayne Stones, 32, from Monk Fryston on the mammoth journey which saw them climbing up to almost 2,000 feet at Hartshead, near Penrith, and spending the night in a haunted hotel in Allenheads along the way.

They were also joined by Mick’s son Shane Armstrong and his brother John, 69, who was treated for cancer last year. Also taking part were friends including, retired gas engineer Fred Harrison from Adel; Mark Lethley from Ilkley; Jeremy Sutton from Wrose and Richard Thompson from Baildon.

Mick added: “It was tough going, especially the second day which seemed to be mile after mile of hills. The final day was in torrential rain but at least some of it was downhill. I have never been more pleased to see the North Sea in my life.

“We are set to raise more than £1,200 for the two charities so that makes the aches and pains worthwhile.”

The engineers are all part of the team which operates the gas mains network in Yorkshire on behalf of Northern Gas Networks.

The team were given a helping hand by colleague Dave Noades who was their support driver and friends from Hammonds Installations and Support Services who transported the bikes up to the Workington.

Far from taking a break from the saddle, Mick and the team are already looking out for their next cycling challenge and hope to complete another charity ride later this year.