Our Charity

Our Charity

Tuesday 29 March 2011

Dudley News Coverage

The following was printed in the Dudley News

PCSO David Grove, Pc Keith Scott, PCSO Bev McCabe, Pc Paul Davies, PCSO John Link, Pc Tristram Oliver  and PCSO Omar Sharif get set for the Land's End to John O'Groats ride. Buy Photo: 121146M 
PCSO David Grove, Pc Keith Scott, PCSO Bev McCabe, Pc Paul Davies, PCSO John Link, Pc Tristram Oliver and PCSO Omar Sharif get set for the Land's End to John O'Groats ride. Buy Photo: 121146M

 

Dudley police take on 1,000 mile cycle challenge



A GROUP of intrepid Dudley police officers are swapping cycling around the Castle and Priory ward for a 1,000 mile ride from Land's End to John O'Groats, all in the name of charity.
The seven members of the Castle and Priory neighbourhood policing team, who have nicknamed themselves 'The Castle Wheelers' are taking on the mammoth two week challenge from July 9 in aid of the children's ward at Russells Hall Hospital.
The team - made up of three Pc's and four PCSO's - will be tackling the route to raise money for foldaway beds for parents who want to stay with their children in hospital overnight.
Each bed costs around £700 each and the officers are hoping to purchase as many as they can for the ward.
Four members - Pc's Tristram Oliver, Paul Davis and Keith Scott, alongside PCSO David Grove will be completing the arduous cycle from start to finish, while PCSO's Omar Sharif, Bev McCabe and John Link will provide the back up in two support vehicles - with one donated by Dudley Motor Company, while another has been donated by Dudley Building Society..
Leading the challenge, Pc Oliver, said: "It was something we all thought about doing and thought we would do something for Russells Hall Hospital as it is local.
"Most of us have children and wouldn't like to think of them in hospital and us not being there with them."
PCSO Grove, said: "We wanted to raise money for something achievable and knew fundraising for a piece of equipment was out the question, as that costs around £50,000 so we set a target of around £1,500 which would be enough for two beds, but we are hoping to raise enough to buy more."
The team are training for the ride by cycling to and from work, as well as their regular rides while out on patrol in the neighbourhood, while also taking part in training rides on days off, reaching up to 65 miles to date.
The riders, who all said they were "apprehensive" about the challenge, have also managed to beg free accommodation from police and fire stations along the route, as well as sponsorship from borough businesses, so all money raised can go towards their fundraising efforts.
To sponsor the team visit justgiving.com/castle-wheelers

Wednesday 23 March 2011

End2End Trailer


The Fearless Four went on a run to Bridgnorth this set of Rest Days. Quite a pace was set and although we only did 40ish miles we all felt (apart from Keith) like we had done quite a few more. 

Have a look at the trailer above to see what you can expect from the ride over the Summer.


Friday 18 March 2011

Media coverage

We had our second interview with the local papers this week as the Dudley News came and took the Team's photograph and will put a small article in their next edition.

What a fine, fit group of people!
This is a copy of one of the photos taken by our Force Communications Officer as we are also going to publicised though this as well.

Missing from this picture is our newest member of the Team, PCSO Jo King who seems very reluctant at the moment to have her picture taken. I currently have several of her with her hand in front of her face. I will try again and will post her profile on the Team page shortly.

Our training rides continue with most of doing as much as we can. The 4 riders have also met up and cycled to Malvern which opened up our eyes as to how we will structure our day on the trip. We have decided that we will complete each day in 20 mile bursts with small 20 minute breaks in between. This is so we don't get too comfortable that we don't want to set off again.

This morning "Daddy Davies" walked into the office with a broken chain in his hands. No, not because he was angry and wanted to get back at Omar but because he snapped it on the way home. Even "The Daddy" is pulling his finger out and is putting in some serious training. With fuel being the price it is at the moment who can blame us! (Paul all you need to do is get the hang of your clipless pedals and you'll be flying!)

We are going to be completing another ride on Tuesday towards the Bridgenorth area, so if you see us, give us a wave. I'll let you know how we get on.

Wednesday 2 March 2011

Video Diary



Those of us that don't mind appearing on video have started to film some video diaries and these will be posted on this blog.

John, Omar, Paul and myself filmed some this week and so you can watch it by clicking above. I hope you enjoy it as it took me forever to make.