Wheel Support for COCO at the Coast to Coast Challenge!
Tuesday 6th October 2009
On the weekend of the 3rd and 4th October Steve Cram and 31 cyclists from the North East and beyond got on their bikes for the Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge in support of COCO.
The C2C started in Whitehaven on a rather cold and grey morning but as cyclists pulled on their specially made cycle tops, which were kindly sponsored by Dunelm, the bright orange colour seemed to brighten up the atmosphere. At 7.40am COCO staff and volunteers waved off 11 teams made up of individuals from businesses which included Cintra Payroll Services, MOSO, Dunelm, Dickinson Dees, Berrymans Lace Mawer, Browell Smith and Co, Run for All and Simpson Millar.
The C2C challenge covers 134 miles from Whitehaven to Sunderland and cyclists took two days to complete the course, stopping in Alston on Saturday night for a well earned rest! Teams were taking part to raise money for COCO's projects and it is estimated that the sponsorship will exceed £9000 which is fantastic news.
Funds that have been raised through the C2C will be used mainly to help to support the HIV Prevention Programme and the Family Integration Programme in Durban, South Africa. COCO partner with a South African organisation called iThemba Lethu to help educate young people of the dangers of HIV and to facilitate the adoption of babies who have been orphaned or abandoned as a result of HIV/AIDS.
Glenda at the project said this....
"COCO has been an absolute life line to the programmes that iThemba Lethu runs. iThemba Lethu means 'I have a destiny' and our vision is to see children whose future is threatened by HIV/AIDS regain a meaningful destiny. The monthly contributions from COCO have contributed to both of the iThemba Lethu programmes. The contribution to the Family Integration Programme has made it possible for us to pay the monthly salaries of our three full time staff employed in the transition home. The staff members are the backbone of this programme. They love children and are committed to seeing each baby in our care loved and nurtured and healed. The team celebrates each time a baby is placed into a suitable adoptive family."
Glenda Algie, iThemba Lethu
This is the reason why Steve Cram, Allison Curbishley and their fellow cyclists battled gale force winds and driving rain on Saturday to scale the heights of Hartside and battle the hills at Winlatter. The weather on Saturday was not what you would call ideal cycling weather but COCO's cyclists dug deep and battled on and for that we are grateful. Hot drinks and chocolate spurred teams on, not to mention a friendly face and shelter in a warm van along the course.
Saturday was the longest day of cycling with the last team taking over 11 hours to reach Garrigill from Whitehaven. Warm showers and lasagne were a welcome relief at Alston, followed by a quick visit to the pub!
COCO staff had obviously been having a quiet word with the weather man overnight as by Sunday morning the sun was shining, the wind had disappeared and cyclists were able to enjoy glorious views of the countryside. Despite a rather unwelcome climb to Parkhead, teams were pleased to be on the home stretch and heading towards Sunderland's coastline.
The first team in were 'The Stragglers' from Berrymans Lace Mawer who were greeted by a welcome party and champagne. Some team members even ventured into the sea, including Allison Curbishley, Steve Cram didn't appear to be so brave!
The winning team, for the second year in a row were Cintra Payroll Services (pictured here) who were represented by Carsten Staehr, Lorenzo Mugnai and Fred Pargeter who completed the course in a time of 15 hours and 13 minutes. A close second were Dickinson Dees in a time of 15 hours and 39 minutes, followed by the 'Psychlpaths' from Berrymans Lace Mawer who steamed home in a time of 16 hours and 26 minutes.
Congratulations to all of the teams who took part and made the 2009 C2C Challenge the best yet. Thanks for your fundraising efforts and for battling through such terrible conditions on Saturday, we hope you are all feeling very proud of your achievement!
If you are interested in taking part in the 2010 C2C Challenge please contact COCO's Fundraising and Marketing Coordinator, Laura Elliott.