Holchem Technical Sales Consultant Jon Weeden recently joined forces with a number of friends to cycle 1,100 miles to raise vital funds for The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Cancer Research. Jon and his fellow teammates are all members of the ‘Potterne Spinners’ cycling team and their special journey took in all 18 first class cricket grounds around England and Wales.
Training began in October 2019 and the whole team, with varying levels of fitness, worked on their stamina and cycling skills throughout the cold, rainy winter months and then during the initial months of lockdown. They commenced the fundraiser on the 25th August starting at Somerset County Cricket Club in Taunton and finishing at Potterne Cricket Club 11 days later.
During the challenge they cycled around 100 miles a day, from Somerset to Gloucestershire, Glamorgan, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Durham, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Middlesex, Surrey, Essex, Kent, Sussex and Hampshire, before the home leg to Potterne. Conditions were often challenging, with the Potterne Spinners encountering wind, rain, and cold as well sunshine and warm temperatures.
The team (Mark Colyer 52 from Potterne, Sam Gaiger 42 from Market Lavington, Tim Richards 47 from Eastcott and Jon Weeden 47 and Steve Wells 58 both from Rowde) set an initial goal to raise £45,000 for the two charities. Incredibly so far, they have raised £65,000 and with donations still coming in and the proceeds of a competition from the Cricket Club still to come, the total could reach £70,000.
Commentating on the fundraising, Jon said
We have been blown away by the generosity and kindness of spirit everyone has shown us. The cricket club has been a massive support to us during the whole challenge and without them we wouldn’t have achieved anywhere near what we have. Personally, it fills me with pride what we have achieved and goes to show if you put your mind to something anything is achievable. Both the charities have very special places in all our hearts as one of our team’s family is affected by Cystic Fibrosis and we recently lost a close friend to cancer. They both do amazing work and we just wanted to show our appreciation.
If you would like to donate to the fundraiser please visit the site link below.
