Businessmen complete gruelling 17-hour bike ride for charity

A 10-strong team of businessmen turned cyclists from Gloucestershire has completed a 17-hour, 250-mile bike ride through the hills of Wales, raising a mountain of money for much-loved charities.

For some, this was a deeply personal effort, but for all it was the thought of raising funds that kept them going on the mammoth Hills Of Hope 2021 Heath Barnett Ultra Endurance Cycling Challenge.

It was an effort which took them from Anglesey to Berkeley, non-stop, raising £7,800 and tipping the total collected since the challenge began in 2017 to more than £35,000.

All funds go to Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, the Alzheimer’s Society and Children for Cancer.

Craig Barnett, commercial manager at E. G. Carter and Co Ltd, who created the annual challenge in memory of his brother Heath, said: ‘The ride was the most challenging to date, with over 17,000 feet of climbing and some brutal, relentless hills.’

Robin Heffter, of Gloucester-based Allstone and Speedy Skips, said: ‘I knew Craig’s brother, Heath, and Allstone Speedy Skips have supported Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court for a number of years now. This year we’re proud to be sponsoring their Ride for Ryder cycling sportive.

Also on the ride were E G Carter’s associate director, Peter Blanch, Allstone Speedy Skips’ commercial director, Robin Heffter and co-owner and director, Richard Street.

The Hills Of Hope 2021 Challenge virginmoneygiving page is still open for donations.

By Andrew Merrell

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