News from APC Overnight: Committed staff from two Midlands-based delivery companies hit the road in aid of a charity cycle challenge held by Acorns Children’s Hospice.
A total of four staff from EDS Couriers and Advanced Delivery Service – both part of the UK’s largest independent parcel network, APC Overnight – volunteered their help at the Severn Valley Cycle Challenge, which saw more than 150 cyclists pedal their way around some of the West Midlands’ most beautiful scenery.
Cyclists took in the stunning Severn Valley countryside by choosing one of three different courses; 10, 20 or 40 miles to match their ability. With each cyclist then returning to their starting point on the historic Severn Valley railway, the logistics specialists swapped parcels for pedals by delivering each bike to its owner after the challenge.
The charity held its sixth Severn Valley cycle challenge on Sunday 17 August to raise funds for its three hospices across the region, with cyclists choosing one of three different courses; 10, 20 or 40 miles to match their ability.
Amongst those who lent a hand was Andy Evans, Managing Director at EDS Couriers, who said, “Acorns is a local charity that provides an invaluable service to so many local people, and as a responsible local company, we were keen to support the Cycle Challenge in any way we could. It was great to be able to put ourselves and our delivery vans to good use, all in the name of such a good cause.
Gary Haynes, of Advanced Delivery Service added, “With our depot not running delivery services on a Sunday, it made complete sense to put our vehicles to good use in order to help Acorns to run a hugely successful event.”
Ian Carr, Acorns Events Manager, said, “We were really pleased with the number of people who supported Acorns Children’s Hospice, both the cyclists and the volunteers who helped on the day. Having staff from two of the region’s courier firms on hand proved really useful; not only in allowing the cyclists to rest their weary legs on a train journey home, but also in encouraging more people to get involved, knowing that their bikes were in safe hands.
“We rely heavily on sponsorship, public fundraising and voluntary donations from events such as the Severn Valley cycle challenge to provide us with the majority of the funding we need to operate.
The charity is hoping that the event will raise £30,000 and is asking participants to send in their sponsorship money to help Acorns continue to provide care for life limited and life threatened children across the region.
