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And finally…PwC Scotland cyclists gear up for 2,500 mile ‘Ride the Nation’ charity drive

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Twenty one intrepid cyclists from PwC Scotland are gearing up join the UK firm’s ambitious Ride the Nation challenge, which will cover over 2,500 miles – including almost 300 in Scotland - raising funds for the Scottish Association for Mental Health, the Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow and PwC UKs race for £3million.

PwC partners Bruce Cartwright and Colin Slater gear up for a 103 mile cycle as part of the firm's 2,500 mile Ride the Nation charity challenge.
PwC partners Bruce Cartwright (lhs) and Colin Slater (rhs) gear up for a 103 mile cycle as part of the firm’s 2,500 mile Ride the Nation charity challenge.

Setting off from London on 1 May 2015, four Ride the Nation cyclists will visit each office in the UK network from St Helier in Jersey to Aberdeen and Belfast in under four weeks – with 700 regional colleagues joining their peloton at different stages along the way to spur them on.

On 13 May they will roll into Scotland were they will be joined by 21 Scottish colleagues who will accompany them in stages as they tour PwC’s Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh offices.

The route covers:

  • 13 May - Coldstream in the Borders to Edinburgh via Duns, Gifford and Musselburgh. The team will then cycle through Linlithgow, Falkirk, Coatbridge and into Glasgow city centre, finishing up at PwC’s Bothwell Street office (103 miles)

    • 14 May – Glasgow to Aberdeen via Falkirk, Stirling, Alloa and Kinross and through Fife into Dundee then onwards through Newbigging, Montrose, Inverbervie, Stonehaven and Netherley and into Aberdeen (153 miles)

      • 15 May – after travelling back to Glasgow the team will cycle to Troon to catch the ferry to Northern Ireland (32 miles)

        • All of the funds raised through the Ride the Nation challenge will go to PwC’s chosen office charities for 2015 such as The Scottish Association for Mental Health and the Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow, as well as supporting PwC Foundation’s race to raise £3 million this year.

        Colin Slater, PwC Ride the Nation champion in Scotland, said: “Whether it’s getting in the saddle to cycle a stage, fundraising or simply cheering colleagues on, it gives us all the opportunity to raise much needed funds for The Scottish Association for Mental Health, the Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice and our PwC Foundation.

        “Ultimately, this is all about supporting our local community and helping to make a difference to a lot of people’s lives and it’s great to see so many of my colleagues joining in this ambitious nationwide challenge.”

        Leighton Smith, a key organiser of the event and one of PwC’s National Riders, has been overwhelmed by the number of staff signing up to support their 2,500 mile journey.

        He said: “The support for our Ride the Nation challenge has been fantastic. The great thing about this initiative is that everyone can get involved, regardless of sporting ability. I’m a keen cyclist and will be covering the full 2,500 miles but we have riders who are covering anywhere from 30 to 130 miles.”

        Belfast-based business, Chain Reaction Cycles (CRC) - the world’s largest online bike retailer - is providing the four national riders with carbon bikes, clothing, equipment and nutritional supplies, as well supplying 700 nutrition packs for the regional riders.

        Damien Duggan, head of marketing, CRC, said: “Cycling is such a popular activity and this is an amazing initiative. For those who have already been bitten by the cycling bug it’s a great excuse get on their bike and for those who fancy giving it a go they are guaranteed a great atmosphere and experience.’’

        Other sponsors include Dassi, Mule Bar and De Vere Venues & Hotels.

        The cyclists from PwC’s Scottish offices are:

        Aberdeen - Kevin Reynard, Michael Stephenson, Richard Bathgate, Calum Thirwell and David Forrest

        Edinburgh - Mark Hoskyns-Abrahall, Bruce Cartwright, Colin Slater, Maggie Robb, Grant Roger, Jaci Badenhorst, Ross Macrae, Matt Cooper, Peter Clarke, Peter Hefferman, and Findlay Hyde

        Glasgow - Shahbaz Mirza, Fraser Wilson, Roddy Mckellar, Christopher Henderson and David Brown

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