On 18th June, a team of seven from Dugdale Nutrition took part in the 78 mile West Coast Classic in aid of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.
Our chosen charity, RABI, is a welfare charity which changes rural lives for the better. It offers financial support to farming people of all ages in hardship, working with compassion and discretion. RABI provide short-term and long-term support to the farming community and many people become ‘full beneficiaries’ of the charity, receiving ongoing regular payments.
Planning for the ride began back in the New Year when Peter Wormleighton, Sales Manager, who is himself a very keen cyclist, suggested we form a team for the challenge. Dugdales staff from across the company volunteered, and training began.
The scale of the challenge was soon realised by the less-experienced within the group, when 5 members met for a 55 mile training ride. There was concern that certain members may get lost, even on straight roads, despite clear signage on the route! However, when donations started to flood in, we realised there was no going back!
Despite the challenges (and hills!) faced throughout training, our spirits were not dampened ahead of the big day, and the continued support spurred us on.
The event began in Preston taking us from city to sea, through some of the best of Bowland over the 78 mile course. The first half of the route headed inland, from Preston toward Clitheroe, taking in the sights of Longridge, Hurst Green and Chipping, and the hills of Chaigley and Walker Fold, before heading back out onto the Fylde. Fish and chips were on offer when we reached the Lytham feed stop, although in temperatures of around 25 degrees, ice creams may have been more welcome. The final leg from Lytham back to Preston was a very long 18 miles, however we all crossed the line in very respectable times, but most of all, for an excellent cause.
At Dugdales, we are proud to support RABI due to our involvement in the rural and farming community on a daily basis.
To date, we have raised £2,090, more than doubling our original target! A massive thank you to everyone who has donated and supported us.
We are already planning the next challenge…
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