QA employee to cycle across the UK for charity - from Lands End to John O'Groats in 14 days!
Mary Payne, a QA customer service representative is used to looking after customers needs the length and breadth of the UK, but in June she takes this to a greater level.
Sponsored by QA, colleagues, friends and families Mary and her partner Shaun are cycling from Lands End to John O'Groats, setting off on June 12th and aiming to complete it within 14 days, covering a total of 1,000 miles - that's over 70 miles per day!
They have chosen to do this challenge on behalf of the Prospect Hospice who provide dedicated end of care for people with cancer and other serious conditions, and last year reached more than 1,400 people including a close family member of Mary and Shaun.
Mary explains, "I have wanted to take on a personal challenge for years, something I would have to really train at, or I would suffer the consequences! Shaun is an avid off road mountain biker, so this comes a lot more natural to him - I hadn't ridden a bike since I was about 10, until I started training for this! We both love the outdoor life and try to experience as much in life as we can, and we understand the importance of keeping fit and healthy - this seemed perfect for us both. We chose this charity because we were blown away by the genuine passion and commitment everyone at The Prospect Hospice had for the family as well as the individual."
Mary's works for the UK's leading training company, QA who were keen to support her with this challenge. Ben Pike, Director of QA commented, "It is great to see people challenge and benefit from the results. We also want to encourage our staff to maintain a good work life balance, and as an organisation we are keen to support local charities via our employees. Having visited our training centres across the UK, I know just how far Mary and Shaun are cycling - we wish them all the best and are proud to be involved."
Follow Mary's progress and find out how to sponsor her on her blog at mary's challenge.
About Prospect Hospice
Prospect Hospice's dedicated end of care last year reached more than 1,400 people living with cancer and other serious conditions in Swindon, north Wiltshire, and in Fairford and Lechlade, Gloucestershire. They care for people in their own homes, in care homes, at the Great Western Hospital and at the Hospice in Wroughton. They supported their families and friends too. For thirty years Prospect has provided the only dedicated end of life care service for the 300,000 people living in our community - bringing care, comfort and confidence around the clock every day of the year.
Prospect Hospice is a registered charity and receives just 26% of their income from statutory organisations such as the NHS. This means that they have to raise more than £4.5 million each year to continue providing the care our community relies on.
About the Ride
On 12th June Mary and her boyfriend Shaun will be setting off to complete a 14 day bike ride from Lands End to John O'Groat's covering approximately 1000 miles, which is around 70 miles a day. They have given themselves 16 days in total to allow 2 days for travelling, so have very little leeway to get lost or pull a muscle. They have a support vehicle over the 2 weeks and are therefore lucky enough not to have to carry the tent.