In 2022, Stirling Dynamics chose Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) as our charity of the year, imploring all our staff to help raise as much money as possible to help support the important work they do.
The Stirling Dynamics staff naturally rose to the occasion, offering a wide variety of fundraising activities including sponsored runs, bake sales, and step challenges to name a few. But perhaps most impressive of all was, Project Manager, Michelle Aldridge’s cycling fundraiser (or “Michelle Aldridge Land’s End to John O’Groats Adventure”) that was set to take place in September 2022.
Unfortunately, with only weeks to go until the event, Michelle and the team accompanying her, contracted Covid-19 and were unable to go ahead with the planned route, which as she describes was a massive blow:
I was disappointed to not start this adventure in September, especially after so much hilly training. The acknowledgement now, that certain hills we were glad to see the last of, will now need to be revisited, is certainly a tough prospect. Fortunately, however training has recommenced and we are now in full swing, ready to go and more determined than ever! Fitter, stronger, longer!
Despite such a monumental set back, Michelle did not lose her determination, and following a recovery and the return to her strict training regiment, is back on her bike and ready for the challenge!
Michelle’s cycling fundraiser is set to be quite the feat, taking her from Land’s End to John O’Groats, with all proceeds going to GWAAC. The journey will take her from the most southern tip of the British coastline, all the way to the north of Scotland and, as Michelle describes, it will be quite intensive:
The total ride is going to be just over 1000 miles, over a period of 20 days, so we’re aiming to do around 50 miles a day. The first three days will be the hardest, it’s really hilly in Cornwall and Devon, the ascent is massive. On the first day, we have to do 1200 metres, day two is 1500 metres and day three is 1000 metres, after that it’s going to be a lot easier, and the adrenaline will have kicked in too.
With over £1600 already raised for GWAAC and a new target of £2,000 in sight, Michelle’s fundraiser is gaining a lot of traction both internally and externally. When asked why she chose to undertake her cycling challenge, Michelle said:
I was pleased when the company chose Great Western Air Ambulance (GWAAC) and I was very keen to support them. I’ve worked with helicopters for years in my past and I was lucky enough to work at Yeovilton (Royal Naval Air Station), where we maintained the search and rescue helicopters there (the yellow ones, as people would know). It was a brilliant experience, and our team took a lot of pride from the work.
Michelle’s fundraiser begins on Friday 5th May 2023. If you would like to support Michelle Aldridge’ “Land’s End to John O’Groats Fundraiser”, you can donate today at her fundraising page here!
For more information on Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, click the link to learn more!
