‘I think I carried my bike more than I actually rode it!’ says Service Manager Alan Skelton ‘But we had loads of fun over the weekend.’

The group of 14, including Alan, Service Foreman Malcolm Dunn and Technicians John Summerfield and Phil Wright, are either hikers or bikers and were all aiming to walk 15 miles or cycle 50.

Alan continues ‘Our first ‘Hike and Bike’ took place in 1990 when a group of my work colleagues and friends decided to raise some money for a leukaemia charity, by walking/cycling the West Highland Way. The eight-year-old daughter of one of our friends had been diagnosed with leukaemia and we all felt we wanted to do something to help. Amy is now 21 and fit and well.

‘Everyone enjoyed themselves so much that we decided to make it an annual event and despite mixed levels of fitness and ability we have ‘hiked and biked’ our way over the South Staffs Way, South Downs Way, Helvelyn, Offa’s Dyke, Exmoor, The Peak District to name but a few. The only year we missed was 2001 due to the foot and mouth epidemic. However, this is only the second event to be sponsored and we have chosen to raise money for WOMAC.’

Everyone at WOMAC is delighted with the result. Congratulations and thanks go to the whole team.

The all-important planning meeting in the pub

The team lines up while the sun still shines


All kitted up for a 50-mile rid