Managing director gets back in the saddle for charity

A West Midlands managing director has completed a sponsored bike ride, raising £1,200 for a children’s charity.

Andrew Hockedy, who manages Trust Group UK which has three Volkswagen sites in Redditch, Wolverhampton and Stourbridge, cycled 100 kilometres for Action Medical Research.

The 49-year-old, who is based at Wolverhampton Volkswagen, took part in the organised Warwick 100 ride around the Warwickshire countryside, to help raise awareness of the leading UK-wide medical research charity dedicated to helping babies and children.

Speaking of the ride, Andrew, said: “It was certainly a tough challenge but one I relished.

“I was a keen cyclist when I was younger and even rode 1,500 mile of my own Tour de France route, but I hadn’t been on a bike in years.

“The charity ride has revived my passion for the saddle so much so that I have committed to three further races for Action Medical Research.

“I am very grateful to all sponsors and aim to double my donation total over the forthcoming rides.”

Andrew plans to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats next year to raise further funds for Action Medical Research.

COTSWOLD TREK RAISES THOUSANDS FOR CHILDREN’S CHARITY

A Swindon man has led a charity team on a 40 mile trek to raise almost two thousand pounds for the children’s charity, Action Medical Research, for children, for life.

Jon Owens and his team, the VW Trekkers, took part in the Cotswold Plod and have so far raised £1,750 to help the charity treat sick babies and tackle premature births. The team now hope further donations help them reach their £2,000 target.

The brand manager at Mann Egerton Volkswagen was joined by Simon Gait, John Pitt and Stuart Braley in the VW Trekkers team as they walked 40 miles from Dursley to Cleeve Hill.

The Cotswold Plod started at midnight on June 11th and the VW Trekkers completed the route in just 16 hours 20 minutes, finishing 5th out of the 14 competing teams.

Jon said: “We’re delighted to have completed the trek in such a good time, but more importantly we’ve raised almost £2,000 for such a worthwhile cause.

“We started at night and trekking through the dark early hours was difficult, but when the sun came up, the views were stunning and helped alleviate the injuries we suffered.

“Everyone has very sore legs and plenty of blisters, so we hope people in Swindon and Wiltshire continue to support our walk with further donations.”

To sponsor Jon and his team go to www.action.org.uk/sponsor