One amazing Motorpoint employee is all set to hit the road for charity this May when Chris Northern takes on his most gruelling fundraising bid yet in aid of a local charity The Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice based in Longthorne, Peterborough.
Chris Northern, 39, is married, lives in Whittlesey and has worked at Motorpoint’s Peterborough Southern Preparation centre for over three years. He takes on the John O’Groats to Lands’ End challenge riding the route between Great Britain’s most northerly to southerly communities with seven others from the Whittlesea Wheelers Cycling Club.
Total fundraising currently sits at £1350 but Chris is hoping to smash this total in the run up to being on the start line on 12th May 2023.
No stranger to fund raising feats, Chris has previously raised over £2500 for Sue Ryder on a 65-mile Ultra Marathon. Chris has also completed numerous Triathlons, Marathons and cycle sportifs including the famous IRONMAN.
However, nothing has ever come close to this latest challenge and the enormity of the John O’Groats to Lands' End challenge has now sunk in for Chris. Along with his teammates the group are aiming to complete the gruelling cycling challenge over 11 days, including some 60,000ft of climbing.
Nilesh Patel, Senior Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall, said: “We are extremely thankful for all the support Chris has given us. The money raised contributes massively towards compassionate palliative care for people at our Peterborough Hospice. We will be supporting Chris and the others in this epic challenge and want them to know we are with him every pedal of the way.”
Chris, who will mark his 40th birthday during his fundraising ride explains his involvement in this charity challenge: “So far, I have been able to raise £950 and I really hope to break this which would be fantastic news for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall in Peterborough. I wanted to support Sue Ryder as my chosen charity and the work of the hospice - their fundraising programme was badly impacted by Covid-19, and I feel it’s important to keep supporting their vital work in our community.
“This cycling challenge is undoubtedly the toughest one I’ve taken on to date. Luckily, I am undertaking this one with a brilliant group of fellow fundraisers from the Whittlesea Wheelers Cycling Club.”
Chris Northern added “Motorpoint has also been brilliant in supporting me as well and has provided our riders with their LEJOG Ride jerseys along with a £1000.00 donation to support the ongoing work of the Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice.”
The seven cyclists riding with Chris are all members of the local cycling club called Whittlesea Wheelers. The other riders are David Edis, Russ Phillips, Stuart May, Stuart Greenwood, Brian Seward, Emma Brocklehurst and Andrew Donnell who are riding for their favourite nominated charities including the RSPCA, NGNPUK and Alzheimer’s Research UK. Together this group has raised over £2000 with just over four weeks to go.
During the cycling challenge event the team will be marshalled with three support cars ably supervised by Emily Faulkner-Boyd and Kelly Donnell Neil Phillips who is the team photographer.
Motorpoint Regional Retail Sales Director, Chris Goodison praised Chris’ endeavour saying: “Chris is well known for his intrepid fundraising efforts. We think his motivation and dedication is awe-inspiring which is why we are delighted to support him with kit as well as supporting his fundraising efforts with our £1000.00 pledge.