C2C Cycle ride in support of Kenya Acorn Project (KAP)
Billy and Fynn Manning recently completed a Coast to Coast cycle ride in order to raise funds for the Kenya Acorn Project (KAP), part sponsored by EnergyLink Ltd. The total amount raised was £1,229.50.
Fynn is a year 8 student at Emmanuel College, Gateshead. They trained for three months prior to the event to raise their levels of fitness. For Billy, this was a mountain to climb (excuse the pun) as he hadn't been on a bike for 30 years. He began to use the bike daily and they went on rides of increasing distance at weekends until they were ready.
At the highest point of the Coast to Coast
Billy wrote a summary of their journey:
"We decided to take 4 days to do the event as we had no idea what to expect. Taking 4 days took a little pressure off us so we could enjoy the ride. A late start on the first day piled the pressure on again and reaching the climbs through Whinlatter Forrest did our morale little good. Coasting into a rain soaked Keswick, the outlook was not bright.
The next day was glorious and the ride the Little Salkeld was a breeze. We refreshed and in fine spirits they headed off on day three for the climb through the Pennines. Despite our low morale of the first day, we rose to the challenge of the climbs with Fynn setting the standard. Hartside Pass passed without any concerns. Great down hills until we realised that for every downhill theres an uphill, this hit us just as they came out of Garrigil. A long, endless ascent without any clue as to when you will reach the top. With the 'nightmare' climb out the way we headed for a good nights sleep at Allenheads.
More climbing out of Allenheads on a rainy Sunday morning then a great descent into Rookhope. We took the off road option out of Rookhope, this is a 5 mile section of off roading across Stanhope moor. The ride start with a 1 mile rough climb call the Funnel, this is where my problems began. my new(ish) bike began to disintegrate. By the time we passed Parkhead the rear wheel had lost a large number of spokes and was severely buckled. Time to call the cavalry who brought me a replacement bike. Now on very familiar turf but still 35 mile from the finish we pressed on with a promise to be at Tynemouth on time. Almost to the minute we turned the corner to see our welcoming committee."
At the finish of the Coast to Coast
The initial idea to do the ride had come after hearing about KAP through Emmanuel College school projects and links to the project founder, Muriel Armstrong, through work colleagues. Their family raised sponsorship from friends and colleagues. They invited sponsorship from several small businesses, such as EnergyLink Ltd. KAP is a well organised registered charity providing health and educational resources to Ndihwe in Western Kenya. The funds raised from this event are to provide a suitable electricity supply to the hospital and nursery.
Many thanks to all friends, family and colleagues who sponsored Billy and Fynn and to the following companies:
EnergyLink Limited
Newcastle Tool and Gauge Limited
Wiedenbach UK limited
Stanley Vickers Limited
The money raised from the Coast to Coast cycle ride
For more information on the Kenya Acorn Project, please visit their web site: www.kenyaacornproject.org.