Yorkshire-based food and drink retailer Approved Food has donated energy-boosting supplies to help cyclists complete a gruelling coast-to-coast charity ride in aid of the city’s Weston Park Hospital.
MD Andy Needham, from Huddersfield, handed over boxes of sweets, biscuits and confectionery worth £250 to the ride’s organiser Mick Greig, who along with 11 friends will cycle 250 miles from Denby Dale to Scarborough then on to Blackpool in memory of Kevin Hirst.
Kevin was cared for at the hospital but sadly lost his fight against cancer in April.
Blackpool and Scarborough were among Kevin and his wife Bev’s favourite resorts, said Mick, so it seemed appropriate that the ride took in both destinations.
Joining Mick on the ride will be Ben Oldroyd, Craig Glover, Joe Day, Sam Tyas, Jack Tyas, Peter Frankland, Dave Fisher, Michael Wood, Michael Smith, Ryan Jagger and Russ Senior.
The team sets off for the first leg, from Denby Dale to Scarborough, on Thursday (September 26) then on Friday will ride from Scarborough to Haworth, completing the final leg from Haworth to Blackpool on Saturday.
The team has already smashed an initial fundraising target of £5,000 and hopes to raise at least £6,000 for the hospital.
Mick said: “We wanted to raise money for Weston Park Hospital, which has a world-leading reputation as a centre of excellence in the fight against cancer, as a gesture of thanks to the team who looked after our very good friend Kevin.
“Our support team of two vehicles will carry bags, spares and most importantly food and supplies, which is where Andy Needham and Approved Food have come to the fore. Andy has donated a huge amount of supplies to keep us going during our journey and without his support, we would struggle to keep going.
“A massive thank you goes to Andy and his team at Approved Food.”
Andy added: “We were only too pleased to step in to help Mick, a fellow Huddersfield Town fan who has undertaken a number of charity bike rides in the past that we have supported. It’s an excellent cause and we’re happy to help the team keep up their energy levels for this tough challenge.”
Approved Food has donated thousands of pounds of stock to good causes since it was established 10 years ago, including food, drink and household goods to Batley Food Bank.
The UK’s biggest exclusively online retailer of surplus food and drink, the company specialises in selling products that would otherwise go to waste such as short-dated food and drink, cancelled orders and goods with outdated packaging or in less popular flavours. Today’s range of more than 6,000 lines goes way beyond food, soft drinks and alcohol, with household goods, wines and spirits, health and beauty products and luxury gifts all available at a discounted price.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Approved Food has dramatically reduced its delivery charges. Customers can enjoy free delivery on orders over £55, while a single 55cm3 box of goods weighing up to 25kg can be delivered for just £3. Two boxes (up to 50kg) cost £6 and three boxes £9 – savings of more than 50% on previous prices.
Highlights of the past 10 years include TV appearances on Dragons’ Den, Loose Women and Food Fighters. In May, Approved Food was praised by the then Secretary of State for the Environment Michael Gove for its work to reduce food waste through awareness of the difference between use by and best before dates.
To donate to the bike ride fund, please go to the Ben Oldroyd’s Just Giving page.
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