We support Help for Heroes
In May 2009 we got directly involved with 'Help for Heroes' charity by undertaking a life challenge event. A group of our friends and us cycled from Lands End to John O'Groats in a grueling 1,000-mile bike ride that took us six and a half days. We managed to raise over 150,000. We think it very important to give something back to those who give some much, and continue to donate to this charity.
If you wish to get involved or donate to this charity contact: http://helpforheroes.org.uk
Excerpt from the Yorkshire Evening Post - May 1st, 2009
LEEDS charity champ Jimi Heselden is backing a fundraising Lands Ends to John O’Groats bike ride to the impressive tune of £100,000.
Millionaire businessman Mr Heselden [OBE] stumped up his sponsorship cash after hearing how eight pals were planning the ride in aid of wounded servicemen’s group Help for Heroes. And today the Yorkshire-based cyclists took time out from final preparations for their weeklong journey to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to their benefactor.
One of the riders, Graeme Collin, a 52-year-old engineering project manager from Guiseley, told the Yorkshire Evening Post:
‘It’s a fabulous gesture. We couldn’t believe it when we heard how much Mr Heselden was pledging. Now it’s up to us to justify his faith. We’re all excited about the challenge ahead of us. The ride is our way of trying to repay the debt we owe the men and women in our services.’
A spokesman for Mr Heselden’s Cross Green-based firm, Hesco Bastion, said it was an honor to be able to support such a worthwhile cause.
Graeme’s fellow cyclists are Dane Bennett and Paddy Douglas, both from Leeds, Martin Sowery, from Tadcaster, and Paul Vokes, Marcus Spencer, Dave Senior and former rugby player Tony Walton, all from the Kirklees area. They are setting out from Land’s End on Sunday with the aim of covering up to 188 miles each day.
To back their fundraising efforts, visit the website: www.helpforheroesride.co.uk
The eight friends were joined by a group from Hargreave’s Cycles in Batley and completed their 1,000-mile ride in six and a half days, raising 150,000 in total.
Whitby's New War Memorial
Whitby’s air and army cadets unveil the new war memorial at 11am on Saturday the 8th of June 2013 and a 300-strong crowd turned out to join the celebrations. The 11 foot high memorial at Dock End, is really something. It sits on a sandstone base and is topped by a column of granite from Norway, where the Green Howards (now the Yorkshire Regiment) served in the Second World War.
Speaking after the ceremony John Freeman Mayor of Whitby said...
‘After being guided through various legal and planning issues by our town clerk, Pam Dobson, work commenced rather closer to our projected finish date than we would have liked; but the craftsmen’s reassurances were well founded and today we have a symbol of the town’s respect for all those we have lost, protecting our freedom... It’s tremendous, I can’t thank the donors and the craftsmen, which have put it together in such a short time, enough. The workmanship and dedication to getting it done, for the community opening day, was amazing. The final result is lovely, I’m really pleased with it.’
- John Freeman Mayor of Whitby
