Firm cycles to £8,000 charity success

A Chorley-based firm has raised almost £8,000 for charity in a 127-mile cycle challenge.

A team of four from Fairport Containers, based on Market Place, Adlington, rode the length of the Leeds Liverpool Canal to raise funds for local charities Derian House Children’s Hospice and St Catherine’s Hospice, as well as Cancer Research UK.

The firm is aiming to raise £20,000 to split between the three causes during 2013 – the company’s 20th anniversary year.

The ride was the firm’s first big fundraiser of the year and was undertaken by chairman Andrew Porter, managing director Steve Collinson, financial controller David Holden and sales manager Mike Salmon.

“We have received some fantastic donations from family, friends, customers, suppliers and members of the public,” Andrew said.

“Sponsorship is still coming in every day and it is great to be well on our way to our £20,000 target for the year. We will be holding some smaller events throughout the year as well as a gala dinner with an auction and raffle.

“We wanted to do something to celebrate our anniversary year that would help the local community and we are very grateful for everyone’s support.”

The team’s training for the cycle ride had been hampered by bad weather and the event was in doubt just the week before, with Andrew and David both being unwell and Steve falling off his bike, injuring his shoulder. However, they pulled through and all four completed the challenge over two days.

“It seems easy now looking back, but it was tough going, especially on some stretches where the towpath was in a very bad condition,” Steve said.

“Luckily the wind was in our favour, or it would have been much worse. We were getting lots of texts of support along the way and we could see the donations coming in online, so that helped to keep us motivated. There was a great sense of achievement when we reached the end.”

Local business Charnock Richard Cycles kindly donated cycling jerseys for the team. Fairport Containers, which provides refurbishment, remodelling, sale and hire of commercial waste containers, is looking for prizes from companies to raffle or auction at its gala dinner. If you can offer a prize contact Steve on 01257 476076, or to donate visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/fairport.