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| Paul Kehoe, CEO, Birmingham Airport waves off Team BoB |
A team of five courageous cyclists, whose day jobs are Directors and Managers from
Birmingham Airport, set off from Birmingham today, Thursday 12 September 2013,
on a gruelling 1600 mile charity cycle ride - with one rider using only a hand bike
The Airport team aim to raise £30,000 by cycling to Barcelona through six countries
over eight days, in aid of three worthwhile charities - Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust,
Macmillan Cancer Support and Back Up Spinal Cord Injury Charity
Back Up has provided support to one of the cyclists, Martin Sutcliffe, after suffering
a spinal cord injury through a cycling accident back in 2010. Martin will only use his
hand bike during the eight day charity expedition, whilst his five companions – David
Winstanley, Bob Graham, Peter Wright, Richard Forbes - will use Racing bikes
The challenge, titled "Barcelona or Bust’" - BoB - , will cycle through Belgium, Luxembourg,
Switzerland, Germany, France and Spain, each cycling in 25 mile stages. Their route also
includes a number of the Tour de France epic mountain stages including Mount Ventoux
which is nicknamed the “Beast of Provence” and the infamous L’Alpe d'Huez with its
21 hairpin bends, before reaching the centre of Barcelona on the 20th September 2013
The cyclists, who have become known around the Airport as "Team BoB", have a four
strong support crew, responsible for logistics, health and safety and nutrition. To give
Martin road support and visibility, he will be accompanied by Nick Jordan, one of the
Airport’s fire fighters and trained first aider
Switzerland, Germany, France and Spain, each cycling in 25 mile stages. Their route also
includes a number of the Tour de France epic mountain stages including Mount Ventoux
which is nicknamed the “Beast of Provence” and the infamous L’Alpe d'Huez with its
21 hairpin bends, before reaching the centre of Barcelona on the 20th September 2013
The cyclists, who have become known around the Airport as "Team BoB", have a four
strong support crew, responsible for logistics, health and safety and nutrition. To give
Martin road support and visibility, he will be accompanied by Nick Jordan, one of the
Airport’s fire fighters and trained first aider
Before setting off, Team BoB member and Operations Director for Birmingham Airport,
David Winstanley, said, "We brainstormed ideas about a year ago to develop a challenge
to help raise money for charities all dear to our hearts. Since then, we’ve been training,
planning and fund raising tirelessly, and we’re really pleased with the donations already
received. We’re now eager to hit the road, spread the word and reach our £30,000
target for these three worthy charities"
David Winstanley, said, "We brainstormed ideas about a year ago to develop a challenge
to help raise money for charities all dear to our hearts. Since then, we’ve been training,
planning and fund raising tirelessly, and we’re really pleased with the donations already
received. We’re now eager to hit the road, spread the word and reach our £30,000
target for these three worthy charities"
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| And They’re Off! - "Barcelona or Bust"!! |
All fuel for the support vehicles needed for the expedition has been sponsored by MG
Motors UK and cycling kits supported by Oshkosh Corporation & Partners. The
fundraising has already got off to a good start through local fund raising and awareness
events that have led to generous donations from key airport partners, including
Teberg DTS, Utter Visual Creations, Eastern Airways and Coupe Decor Maintenance
The Birmingham Airport "Barcelona or Bust" team consist of:
Cyclists:David ‘Winco’ Winstanley – Operations Director - from Rutland
Bob ‘Fulton Mackay’ Graham – MD BHX Fire and Rescue - from Solihull
Martin ‘Sooty’ Sutcliffe – Airport Manager - from Wolston close to Rugby
Peter ‘Wrighty’ Wright - Development Project Manager - from Rugby
Richard ‘Four Biers’ Forbes - Terminal Services Engineer - from Water Orton
Support Crew:
Deane ‘The Dependable’ Arnold – Contracts Manger
Jon ‘Parksey’ Parkes – Senior Controller
Nick ‘Lantern Rouge’ Jordon – Airport Firefighter
"Barcelona or Bust" has a dedicated website where donations can be made,
their live progress can be tracked, and daily blogs will be posted -
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| Thursday 12 September 2013 |