Tuesday 9th June 2015 – 11.45am – Jamie Arrowsmith
A Staffordshire Community First Responder has completed a gruelling fund-raising mission by cycling more than 850 miles as he travelled from John O’Groats to Land’s End.
Steve Cartlidge, of Gnosall and District Community First Responders, set off with friends Nigel Maddox and Gary Fear on Friday, May 22nd, and completed the journey eight days later having ridden 876 miles.
A keen fund-raiser for Gnosall CFRs, Steve raised about £2,500 throughout his trip, taking his personal total across the years to approximately £15,000.
Despite having done the journey on his own before, in the opposite direction, Steve said it was not all plain sailing this time around.
“We were lucky that we had fairly good weather, apart from a drenching we received on the last day, but this time we used A-roads as opposed to B-roads last time, so there was a lot more traffic to overcome.
“Gary’s back wheel also buckled very early on so we had to get that replaced before he unfortunately fell ill with the end in sight, which sadly meant he wasn’t able to ride the last stretch with us.”
The trio cycled about 110-miles per day, often leaving at 5.30am in the morning and not reaching their next hotel until 9pm at night.
“It was tough, there was no doubt about it, but we had some great support from the Blood Bikers who travelled with us, and the welcome we received when reaching Stafford was great,” Steve added.
“The highlight for me, aside from the valuable money raised, would be the support we had throughout and seeing my two colleagues work incredibly hard and become extremely good cyclists when it isn’t something they have had a massive amount of experience in.
“Hopefully the money raised will be a big help to the CFR group and help contribute towards new equipment. I’m extremely grateful to all of those who have donated.”
If you would like to sponsor Steve, find out more information about the bike ride or see more pictures from the trip, visit www.end-2-end.co.uk.
Ends.
Notes to Editors:
If used, please credit the images to West Midlands Ambulance Service.
Captions
Top: Steve Cartlidge with fellow members of Gnosall and District Community First Responders.
Bottom: Steve Cartlidge (second left), Gary Fear (to Steve’s immediate left) and Nigel Maddox (second right) celebrate completing their journey with the support team.
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