From bins to bikes for charity
Hundreds of employees from a waste management firm which collects waste in Devon have geared up to take part in a 2,400 mile, UK cross-country cycle tour to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
The Big Ride cycle relay, organised by national recycling and waste management company SITA UK, staged a Grand Depárt from one of the company’s northern-most sites near Aberdeen on May 12 and will now finish at its most southerly facility in St Erth, Cornwall, on June 20 – six weeks later. (They are currently in Hampshire).
The winding route, designed to include as many of SITA UK’s facilities as possible, makes the journey almost three times as long as the traditional Land’s End to John O’ Groats cycle route of 874 miles.
Nearly 300 members of SITA UK staff, from "bin men" (and women) to board members, will complete the cross-country cycle in “relay” legs, which snake between 100 of SITA UK’s facilities up, down and across the UK.
SITA UK manages the collection of household waste and recycling on behalf of East Devon District Council and operates household recycling centres for Devon County Council. The company provides commercial waste and recycling services across the south west.
Participants have been able to sign up to ride as many legs as they want – with some opting to cycle over 300 miles of the total journey.
The individual legs range from three to 100 miles in length and all participants have been encouraged to raise at least £50 in sponsorship for Macmillan Cancer Support.
The Peugeot Motor Company has generously donated the use of two vehicles, which will follow the cyclists for the 6-week duration of the event - acting as "broom wagons".
Chief Executive Officer of SITA UK, David Palmer-Jones said: “Unfortunately, cancer is something that affects us all, which is why, as a company, we have chosen to give something back by attempting to raise enough money to fund a Macmillan nurse for a whole year.
We decided on The Big Ride because we wanted to stage an event that would encourage collaboration between our numerous sites, include a large majority of our nearly 6,000 strong workforce in one way or another and promote a healthy lifestyle."
Macmillan Regional Fundraising Manager Jan Harris said: "We are absolutely thrilled that SITA UK nominated Macmillan as their chosen charity. Since the beginning, everyone at SITA UK has been brilliant and the bike ride is just one awesome way everyone has got behind the idea of making a difference, by helping people affected by cancer.
The target of £50,000 could pay for a Macmillan nurse for a year – these wonderful nurses give people living with cancer the emotional and practical support they need through one of the hardest times of their lives."
• The cycle relay will arrive at the Ashley Recycling Centre near Tiverton on Tuesday 17 June and visit recycling locations across the county on Wednesday 18 June and Thursday 19 June before heading off to Cornwall. Cyclists will visit Exton Road Recycling Centre in Exeter on Wednesday 18 June.
