A dedicated team of cyclists from Porter Dodson Solicitors has already raised more than £3,000 for the RNLI – a full week before they set-off on a 121-miles cycle ride, dubbed The Great British Bike Off, in aid of the charity.
Finance partner, Nicholas Clegg, first suggested a cycle ride taking in all eight of Porter Dodson’s offices over two days and a small working committee soon got the plans in motion and opted to support the volunteer lifeboat crews of the RNLI.
However, being lawyers, the committee also studied the insurance implications and risk assessments, before deeming the ride achievable and setting a date. But with one minor change to the original plan – the ride would take place in just one day, not two!
With a core group of 10 cyclists taking part – training sessions began, starting with a relatively short 20 miles ride climbing nearly 2,000ft and testing everyone’s fitness and endurance levels.
The cyclists hail from Devon, Somerset and Dorset, so planning training rides that suited everyone has been challenging but team members have regularly been training around the Somerset and Dorset countryside in their distinctive yellow jerseys.
Dave Hooper of Synergy Sport and Remedial Massage Therapy has helped the team prepare for the ride, hosting a maintenance evening and showing them how to protect themselves from injuries.
The Porter Dodson Great British Bike Off takes place on Thursday, 5 September, with the team leaving the Wellington office at 6.30am. The first stop will be Porter Dodson’s Bridport office at 10.15am. All being well, the team will arrive at Taunton at 8.30pm, where staff will be waiting to celebrate their success.
Scott Bowley, head of the firm’s Bridport office, said: “I’ve only recently caught the cycling bug, having bought my bike in April after some “encouragement” from colleagues, so this has been an extraordinary challenge for me. After our 100 mile training ride, we think we are all now prepared for the big bike ride.”
Steve Law, Philanthropy Manager at the RNLI, works closely with Porter Dodson and added:“The RNLI can only continue to save lives with the generous support of the public. My thanks and best wishes to those undertaking the cycle to support our crews and to all those sponsoring them. Behind every life saved on our coasts are those giving their time, energy, and money to enable the RNLI to continue and the team at Porter Dodson are a vital part of this.”
Anyone who would like to sponsor the cyclists can find more information online at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/porterdodson2.
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