05.09.2012

Lavendon 790km Cycle Challenge

Employees from Europe’s largest access rental business, Lavendon are organising a 750km international Cycle Challenge.

Four mixed teams of employees from Nationwide Platforms (UK), Gardemann (Germany), Lavendon (France) and DK Rentals (Belgium) will aim to complete the 790 km ride in a relay event through each of the four countries.

The Challenge begins on 18th September at Gardemann’s Alpen depot in north west Germany and should finish on 26th September at Lavendon group headquarters in Lutterworth, UK. The route will see the cyclists pass through as many of the company’s depots as possible on each day of the challenge.
Please register to see all images

The teams will be raising money for charities selected by employees in each of the four countries. The charities chosen were Cancer Research (UK), Centre Accueil Alzheimer (Belgium), En France et Partage (France) and Dolphin Aid (Germany).

A total of nearly 40 employees have volunteered to help make the challenge happen, including cyclists and drivers from each of the four countries. As each relay team travels through each country they will also be joined by a representative from the business, including Mike Potts, managing director of Nationwide Platforms and Matthew Hickin, managing director of Gardemann.

External supporters of the challenge include Skyjack which provided a donation to cover the cost of the bikes, Vertikal Press which is supplying the helmets, as well as a number of other suppliers, customers and industry partners whose support has made the Lavendon Cycle Challenge a reality.

Last year, management trainees from Nationwide Platforms rode from Aberdeen in Scotland to Cornwall in South West England, raising more than £10,000 for construction industry charity the Lighthouse Club.

This time, at the end of the cycle challenge, one of the high-specification bikes will be subject to a free prize draw. All donors who register a donation at: www.justgiving.com/Lavendon-Group-PLC will be entered in the draw. Once the £600 donation mark is reached, a further bike will be made available for the draw. Entries to the free prize draw can also be made by emailing [email protected] or by liking Nationwide Platforms’ Facebook page.

The progress of the cyclists will be documented throughout the week on the Facebook and Twitter pages of Nationwide Platforms, as well as Vertikal.net. A tracking facility provided by industry telematics specialist Rösler will enable readers to follow the progress of the cyclists each day.

Lavendon group chief executive Don Kenny said: “Working as a team is the driving force behind all the things we achieve as a business. The Lavendon group Cycle Challenge directly brings together our European businesses to achieve something genuinely impressive.”

“On behalf of everyone in the business I would also like to extend my appreciation to all of the organisations who have supported our challenge and the very worthy causes we’ve pledged to support.”
Please register to see all images