Employee Swaps Four Wheels for Two in Charity Cycle
A Peter Vardy senior car technician is attempting to help a children’s charity raise £100,000 as he swaps four wheels for two when he spends two days cycling across the North of England in a Coast to Coast challenge alongside with TV’s Ben Shephard.
In aid of Seb4Chuf, a charity that raises funds for Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF) at Freeman’s Hospital in the North of England, Scott Armour, from West Lothian will cycle a gruelling140 miles in just two days.
Starting on Thursday July 28th July Scott, Ben and other participants will pedal from Tynemouth to Whitehaven – coast to coast. Eight of the cyclists, including Seb4Chuf founder, Ivan Hollingsworth, will then turn around and run an incredible five marathons on consecutive days back to Tynemouth.
Scott’s wife, first introduced him to this Seb4Chuf when the charity’s founders took part in a dual fundraising effort for charity Seb4Chuf and Cystic fibrosis Trust, another charity close to Scott’s heart as his wife suffers from the disease.
Ivan and his wife set up the Seb4Chuf when their son Sebastian was born in January 2009. Only 15 hours after Seb was born he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect which, if left untreated, would mean he wouldn’t see his 2nd birthday. Seb endured six hours of open heart surgery at just 16 weeks of age but thanks to the efforts of The Children’s Heart Unit at Freeman’s Hospital Seb celebrated his 2nd Birthday earlier this year.
Scott said: “This has been a really daunting challenge as not only it is very physically demanding but until this year I never even owned a bike! I always been a the kind of guy that prefers four wheels to two, so much so that cars are also how I make my living at Peter Vardy. The training on the bike has been intense and so I can only imagine what it’s been like for the guys that are running the marathons afterwards but I know it’ll all be worth it as it’s all for an incredibly worthwhile cause.
“The Freeman Hospital looks after a lot of children from Scotland because it’s one of only two paediatric heart transplant units in the UK (the other being London), and it is leading the way in many complex congenital heart defects.”
Last summer four Seb4Chuf supporters ran from Whitehaven to Tynemouth (145 miles in 5 days) including Ben Shephard, raising £20,000 along the way, every penny of which was spent on specific support for the Unit at the Freeman.
Ben Shephard said: “When I was asked last year if I fancied a little sporting challenge to help the charity in their quest to raise money for CHUF I stupidly agreed! So, joined by some other friends we ran the Coast to Coast route from Whitehaven to Tynemouth, which was a marathon a day for 5 days. It was the hardest challenge I have ever taken on and took me to some pretty dark places, but we never failed to find the motivation to continue because Seb was smiling at us from inside the support vehicle.
“We want to continue to support the amazing work the Children’s Heart Unit at the Freeman and it’s for that reason we have decided to make this year’s Challenge even bigger and even harder.”
Peter Vardy, chief executive at Peter Vardy Ltd said: “We cannot commend Scott’s efforts enough. The dedication required for such a challenge is immense and we’re really proud of his efforts. As a company we do a lot of charity work and so it’s fantastic to see people challenging themselves on a personal basis to raise money. We wish him a speedy and safe journey and will have a comfy seat for him awaiting his return to work.”
Please make a donation and help Scott reach £100,000
To make a donation simply visit: www.justgiving.com/seb4chuf or text free by sending the message ‘CHUF99’ and £1, £2, £3, £5 or £10 to 70070.