Charity cyclists don’t stop

A coast to coast cycle has raised thousands for a charity set up by a Fylde Coast businessman.

Employees at 1st Stop Group covered 130 miles from its North East office in Chester-le-Street to their main headquarters in Blackpool.

The group of 15 cyclists took three days to complete the challenge, which raised around £4,000 for the Wills Foundation.

The charity was set up by 1st Stop’s director, Steve Wills, earlier this year.

It aims to raise awareness of and protect the physical and mental health of young people with cancer and the effects on their families.

It comes after he was diagnosed with the disease in 2010, and became ill again last year.

He is currently having regular chemotherapy treatments.

Mr Wills said: “The charity is still fairly new and it’s great to see 1st Stop taking on this challenge and help raise the much needed donations.

Alex Mollart, chief executive of 1st Stop Group, said: “Despite his illness, Steve has remained positive and wants to help families and individuals in similar situations as him, which is where the charity rationale originates from.

“When Steve came to me and said he was starting his own charity, I knew I wanted to be involved in helping to make a difference.

“The coast to coast bike ride seemed like an obvious challenge for us to do, with our offices based in Blackpool and the North East.”

Donations reached £3,000 before the ride began on June 18.

To support the foundation visit www.justgiving.com/willsfamilyfoundation.

Source: Blackpool Gazette