360 Mile Cylce Challenge Raises £6,500 For Charity - Knauf Insulation UK

Online, June 11, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The six-strong team spent the Jubilee bank holiday weekend on the road completing the 360 mile cycle ride.

They have raised £6,500 for two chosen charities - the construction industry's homelessness charity CRASH and Wirral Hospice St John's, both causes that are close to employees hearts.
The cyclists set out from Knauf Insulation's manufacturing plant in Hartlepool on Saturday 2nd June and stopped along the way at the company's plants in St Helens and Queensferry before arriving at their end destination - Knauf Insulation's manufacturing plant in Cwmbran. The challengers also dropped in to chosen charity, Wirral Hospice St John's, along the route.

The challenge named 'Tour de Knauf Insulation', was inspired by the personal experience of one of the insulation manufacturer's employees.

"Every day of the journey has been a challenge but the determination and drive of everyone involved got us through it. We were cycling on average 90 miles a day and it was no easy feat", said David Grimes, financial risk control manager at Knauf Insulation, who came up with the idea of 'Tour de Knauf Insulation'. "We want to thank everyone - clients, colleagues, family and friends - for their generous encouragement and support which we hope will make a real difference to the lives of people in need."

CRASH is the construction and property industry's charity which focuses on improving buildings used to help homeless people by providing professional advice, supplying free materials or awarding cash grants. This unique, practical approach means that vital renovations and developments can be carried out to a high standard, providing a safe, sustainable and welcoming refuge for people in need.

CRASH development manager Kate Marsh, said: "We're extremely grateful to everyone at Knauf Insulation who took part in the challenge and also those that gave so generously. The efforts of David and his team have proved to be an enormous success, helping both CRASH and Wirral Hospice St John's to raise much needed funds. The challenge required a great deal of stamina and determination and they all did fantastically."

Hayley Dykes, community and events fundraiser from Wirral Hospice St John's, said: "Care at Wirral Hospice St John's is always free of charge to patients and their families and we rely on the generous support of local fundraisers and volunteers. The hospice has received wonderful support from the St Helen's branch of Knauf Insulation and we're so proud of the whole team for completing this incredible challenge."

Wirral Hospice St John's provides Specialist Palliative Care and support for patients with severe and progressive diseases, usually cancer, where curative treatment is no longer possible. The demands on the Hospice continue to grow - this year the cost of providing care to all their patients and their loved ones will be over £3million. £2million of this will be raised from local voluntary sources.

St Helen's based Century Limousines provided complimentary transport for the challengers - dropping them off at the starting point and picking them up from their final destination. Birkenhead Van Hire provided the team with complimentary hire of a support vehicle during their four day challenge.

Knauf Insulation provides sustainable insulation solutions for loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and solid wall insulation.