On the 17th & 18th of March 2022, the RSE Control Systems team, consisting of 27 Saftronics, TCS and Blackburn Starling employees, took on the strenuous challenge of completing a 131-mile bike ride over the course of 2 days. The team started the course in Leeds and cycled along the 131-mile canal route before crossing the finishing line in Liverpool.
The RSE Control Systems team were inspired by former Leeds Rhinos scrum-half Rob Burrows, who was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND) in 2019, and the team planned to raise funds for a supporting charity. MND is a debilitating disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, attacking nerves that control movement and prevent muscles from working. The funds raised from the charity cycle will go towards helping to improve access to care, research and campaigning for people and their families suffering with an MND diagnosis.
The team successfully completed their cycling challenge within the 2-day target, with the help from a dedicated support team on standby to assist with marshalling, refreshments, small bike repairs and ensuring the general safety of the cyclists.
The team would also like to thank all the event supporters for their assistance and involvement before, during and after each day of the cycle to make the challenge possible; supporters included Yorkshire Water, Tuffshop, Pudsey Transport, The Adelphi Hotel Liverpool, Haribo UK, University of Leeds and Blackburn Cathedral.
Due to the demanding test of endurance, their amazing team effort and kind donations to the fundraiser, the Control Systems team have managed to raise to date an amazing £10,000 including Gift Aid for the incredibly worthy MND Association.
Simon Logan, TCS Site Services Coordinator said:
At the start of the challenge the team was split into 3 groups, and we set off with a certain amount of trepidation, due to the uncertainty of what the 131 miles of the Leeds to Liverpool tow path terrain would throw at us over the next 2 days. A few riders needed help with punctured tyres and small mechanical problems, which the support team took in their stride. On the second day we still needed to cover 60 miles, with a difficult headwind to contend with. Every time someone had a problem, the team members nearby stopped to give whatever help they could to ensure we got to the finish line. A big group hug and a photo at the end was in order to record the personal and physical achievement of the group fundraising event, with £10,000 raised for the MND Association.
Charlotte Taylor, MND Association, commented:
Without the support of companies like Saftronics, TCS and Blackburn Starling, it wouldn’t be possible for us to deliver our range of care services that provide essential support for all those affected by MND or to invest in ground-breaking research that leads to new understanding of the disease, effective treatments and ultimately a cure. I would like to thank everyone who supported this event for helping to make a real difference to people affected by MND.
