Over 9 days from Monday 2 April to Tuesday 11 April, an incredible team of 8 from the 825 Naval Air Squadron from the Royal Navy Air Station at Yeovilton took to their bicycles to take on the challenge of riding from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise money for the Somerset Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to purchase oxygen assist modules. They have so far raised £9,264 donations, plus £1,899.38 gift aid donations, totalling £11,163.38!
This challenge was started by Mark Wilkes whose children were born prematurely at 28 and 29 weeks and required critical support during their 9 weeks stay.
Mark said, “it was my mission to raise money to help purchase oxygen assist modules, to save valuable time for the team who were wonderful, caring, attentive nurses who will be able to spend more time providing different types of care”.
The team travelled the length on the UK covering a total of 921 miles over 9 consecutive days (this challenge is usually completed in 14 days). They climbed the equivalent of Mount Everest 1.5 times, and they did it is just over 60 hours, setting a pace of 15.3mph.
It goes without saying, a huge thanks and congratulations to the team and their support team for this amazing adventurous challenge. This was nothing short of incredible, especially and some of the team had never cycled such a distance before.
Sue Fulker, Ward Manager for the Somerset Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, said “We’re incredibly grateful and proud of Mark and the team for taking on this challenge and to everyone who donated to the team and have raised a truly amazing amount, which will make such a difference to new born babies that require extra support”.
