Blakedale Welfare Vehicle supports team cycling to Africa

By Ignition CBS Ltd

17 Aug 2016

Chorley-based supplier of Traffic Management and Support Vehicles, Blakedale Limited, has loaned one of its Mobile Welfare Units to support fundraisers cycling from London to Fez in aid of Great Ormond Street and Evelina London Children’s Hospitals.

Four cyclists – James Leahy, Joey Healy, Jamie Pownceby and Bradley Smith – embarked on the adventure of their lives. Blakedale's trusty Welfare Vehicle is providing some welcome home comforts, cooking and sanitation facilities for the team as they cycle across Europe and cross continents into Africa.

With the names “George & Amelia” and the words “Helping Save Lives. Big Hearts, Little Children” emblazoned on their cycling shirts, it is clear that this incredible cycle ride has a very special purpose that is indeed close to the hearts of the families of the four men taking part.

George and Amelia were both born with serious heart defects and are currently undergoing treatment. Their fathers are among the four cyclists. George and Amelia’s experiences inspired the friends to raise funds for Great Ormond Street and Evelina London Children’s Hospitals so that more children may benefit from their lifesaving research and care.

Kerry Gilligian, PA to the Blakedale Directors, has been closely involved in liaising with the intrepid cyclists to ensure the Welfare Vehicle is as ready for this epic journey as they are!

When they’re not on tour, Blakedale’s Mobile Welfare Units support highway maintenance, utilities, rail and construction workforce crews on site. All are fitted with at least 7 seats, cassette type toilet facilities, heating, microwaves, quick boil kettles and hot and cold wash facilities, as well as tow bars, reverse cameras, rear beacons, run lock mechanisms and full Chapter 8 decals and chevrons.

“We’re all very excited that one of our Welfare Vehicles will be supporting the team as they cycle to raise money for a great cause. We’ll be sharing photos and updates of their progress both on our website and via social media over the coming weeks,” says Carmen Bowley, Joint Managing Director of Blakedale.

Three of the cyclists are pictured collecting the Welfare Vehicle from Blakedale two days before beginning their Challenge Africa journey. In addition to Welfare Vehicles, Blakedale also hires out a full range of Traffic Management, Highway Maintenance and Support Vehicles, including state-of-the-art Crash Cushion (Impact Protection) Vehicles. Since purchasing its first hire vehicle in 2002, Blakedale’s self drive fleet has grown to over 250 vehicles, which operate nationwide. The family-run team of 15 office and engineering staff operate from their Mill Lane head office in Chorley.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Ignition CBS Ltd

Latest news

1

Partner promotions at WNJ Stuart Mercer, left, and Matthew Johnson

Partner promotions at WNJ

21 May 2025

2

Accrington-made Vita Advanced Mattress wins prestigious 'Best of the Best' Award at Interzum 2025 Dr. Emily Schweissinger - Evonik, Dr. Roland Hubel - Evonik, Dr Mike Murray - The Vita Group, Natalie Watson - The Vita Group, Chris Hupfeld - Coverstro, Dr. Annegret Terheiden - Evonik and Dennis Wagner - Covestro

Accrington-made Vita Advanced Mattress wins prestigious 'Best of the Best' Award at Interzum 2025

21 May 2025

3

Napthens advises Calico Homes on land acquisition for £23m Dovestone Gardens extra care facility in Burnley Paul Hardy

Napthens advises Calico Homes on land acquisition for £23m Dovestone Gardens extra care facility in Burnley

21 May 2025

4

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway Alan McBride Muse Will Town Defence Infrastructure Organisation Jennifer Chard Defence Business Services Cllr Lynn Williams Blackpool Council Garry Bowker Vinci

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway

20 May 2025

5

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities Skiddle cheque presentation to Alder Hey Hospital

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities

20 May 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
Freelancer Meet-Up May.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29
Artboard 15.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin