Cumbrian bus drivers will cycle coast to coast in aid of GNAAS


A TEAM of Cumbrian bus drivers will cycle from Whitehaven to Blackpool in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS). The Stagecoach ‘Megariders’ will depart from the Beacon at Whitehaven to take on their endurance test and will finish at Blackpool Tower on August 30.

A TEAM of Cumbrian bus drivers will cycle from Whitehaven to Blackpool in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).

The Stagecoach ‘Megariders’ will depart from the Beacon at Whitehaven to take on their endurance test and will finish at Blackpool Tower on August 30. They hope to complete the 115-mile challenge in 12 hours.

Team spokesman Alan Straughton, 56, of Workington, said: “Bus drivers are generally not the fittest of people and it certainly is not the healthiest of professions and so we thought this would be a great challenge to get fit and raise money for a worthwhile charity.”

Alan, who has worked for Stagecoach Cumbria for eight years, said: “All too often I have seen the GNAAS helicopters and we always hear about recent accidents around the Lakes. I think what the GNAAS crew do is absolutely brilliant.

“The team have all been training and preparing a lot for this, one of our members, Andrew Meville, even did a practise run of the course. With nine days to go, we hope to raise as much as we can for GNAAS so please support these gutsy guys and girls on two wheels.”

The team comprises of Grant Ritson, Paul McGarry, Tony Pullin, Nathan Bragg, Peter Nowak, Tony Shimmins, Dave Heslop, David Potter, Barbara Lambert, Dave Pullin, Andrew Melville, Gary McKenzie, Shaun Pattinson, James Croft and Gary Moore. They will be supported by Alan Straughton, Kevin McGarry, Gary Preston and Phill Radcliffe.

Mandy Drake, head of fundraising at GNAAS said: “It is fantastic that this group are doing something out of their comfort zones and we value every little bit raised. We wish them the best of luck.”

To donate to their fundraiser click here.

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