This summer will see one of our employees working hard with an entirely different piece of machinery – in the form of an old Raleigh Chopper bicycle!

Our Manufacturing Manager, Tom Pelling, will be embarking on an impressive 350-mile charity bike ride over just seven days.

He said: “This event has been organised by my long-time friend and rugby teammate, Bob Jones, in honour of his late father, Malcolm, who sadly lost his battle with cancer in 1999 at just 50 years old. In his final days, Malcolm was looked after by Cornwall Hospice Care at Mount Edgcymbe Hospice in St. Austell – who provided outstanding care and compassion, at the time when it was needed most. And, more recently, Bob’s father-in-law, Roy, has also received similar support from the Severn Hospice in Shrewsbury.

“Motivated to give back to these very worthwhile causes – in a poignant year that marks both 25 years since his father passed away and his own 50th birthday – Bob wanted to raise valuable funds to ensure other families can continue to benefit from these fantastic organisations.

“Always up for a challenge, it was a no-brainer for me to get involved. Bob and I will also be joined by two other rugby teammates, Mark and Craig, and together we will be cycling 50 miles per day - from Bob’s childhood home in Cornwall to his current home-from-home: Newtown (Powys) Rugby Club. We’ll be stopping off at both hospices along the way too, and (all being well), we will complete the challenge on Sunday 16th June: Father’s Day.

“And, as if it wasn’t hard enough already, we’ve decided to complete the cycle on 50-year-old Raleigh Choppers – similar to the one Bob’s parents bought him when he was just nine years old.

“Are they built for long distances? Nope. Designed for comfort? Absolutely not. Will they be put through their paces? Certainly! But I’m sure we’ll have a laugh throughout the journey, while also – most importantly - raising valuable (and much-needed) funds that will provide dignity, respect, and kindness to those receiving end-of-life care, and their families.”

The entire team at Contact Attachments would like to wish Tom, Bob, Mark, and Craig (and their Choppers) the very best of luck with this fantastic fundraising challenge.

For more information and regular updates, or to support their fundraising initiative

visit Tom’s Just Giving Page here.