Charity Riders Saddle Up for Help for Heroes

Fifteen brave bike riders from the gas industry have completed a gruelling 212 mile ride to raise much needed funds for the Help for Heroes charity.

The volunteer fundraisers from Northern Gas Networks, United Utilities, Faithful and Gould and GL came from all aspects of the gas industry from engineers to directors and office workers to consultants. The team completed the epic Castles and Coast ride from Edinburgh to Sunderland in just four days taking in the hilly Scottish Borders, the beautiful scenery of the Northumberland coastline and the network of cycle tracks on Tyneside and Wearside.

The team had overnight rest stops at Innerleithen, Berwick upon Tweed and Newbiggin by the Sea before ending their marathon journey at Northern Gas Network’s offices at Moorside in Sunderland.

Northern Gas Networks’ Compliance Officer Graham Jackson who coordinated the ride was amazed at the generosity of his co-workers and members of the public who sponsored the team for a massive £5,000.00. This year, all proceeds will go to the Help for Heroes charity. “We see daily TV reports showing young soldiers returning from Afghanistan with all sorts of dreadful injuries,” said Graham. “Each and every penny we’ve raised will go towards making their quality of life better so it makes our small effort in comparison, well worth it,” he said.

The team were met back at Sunderland by appreciative colleagues and 2nd Lieutenant Keith Cahill, a squad commander based at the TA headquarters at Cramlington who represented the Help for Heroes charity.

“The gas team have really captured the imagination of the public on their journey and helped to promote the work being done by Help for Heroes,” he said. “I know that every man and woman serving in a war zone is grateful for the support of everyone back home. The team should be very proud of their efforts.”