By Mal Butler
W Hurst employees took part in their second charity bike ride on Sunday, visiting all of the company’s Island branches.
A total of seven did the full route, six employees, and a pal from the IW Heart Care Club, last year’s chosen charity. The team started at the Newport branch at 8am and cycled 60-miles, visiting Ryde, Shanklin, Ventnor, Freshwater, Cowes then returning to Newport.
Carl Russell, who is based in Newport, said: “The weather stayed dry but it was a real slog. There were a lot of ‘jelly legs’, but we were supported by our managers at each of the stores, where we were able to have a rest and some refreshment.
“There was also a lot of support from this year’s charity, Home-Start, Isle of Wight.
“On our last leg from Cowes to Newport, we were joined by family and Home-Start and the team grew from seven to 15 along the cycle track into Newport. We were greeted by more supporters as well as the fantastic FaT Samba band, who kindly donated time to welcome us back on our journey. Ted, the Home-Start mascot, was with us all the way on the front of my bike and we are really happy to have raised money for a local charity.”
The team has currently raised £1,800, with off-line donations to be added. Their Just Giving page can be reached via iow.life/hurstcycleride.
Isle of Wight Observer