Staff at the Orange Tree pub in Loughborough are taking to the saddle to raise money for charity.
The team will cycle 960 miles, but they’ll go nowhere, as they’ll be completing the challenge on an exercise bike in the bar.
The money is being raised in support of customer Alex Carter, 22, who this summer is undertaking a gruelling challenge in aid of Malaria No More UK.
Loughborough University student Alex has pledged to swim 21 miles over two days in Loughborough Olympic Swimming Pool, the equivalent distance of swimming the English Channel, cycle 969 miles from John O’Groats to Lands End, and complete a series of extended marathon runs from Lands End to Loughborough – covering approximately 372 miles over 13 days.
The International Business student is attempting the challenge in aid of Malaria No More UK after almost losing his life to malaria while working in Ghana as a basketball coach in 2008 during his gap year.
Alex spent four days in hospital after contracting a deadly form of malaria, falciparum.
Now he has set himself an ambitious personal challenge, which begins in August, and which he has dubbed Victory Over Malaria 1,422 Ultra Triathlon. He hopes to raise £5,000.
The Orange Tree staff have pledged to support his efforts by undertaking their own John O’Groats to Lands End challenge.
“Alex is a housemate of one of our bar staff and a regular at the Orange Tree, and when we heard about his challenge we wanted to do our bit,” said Orange Tree bar supervisor Liam Richards.
“We’ll be setting up an exercise bike in the bar and staff will be pedalling the equivalent of Alex’s ride from John O’Groats to Lands End.”
The pub’s efforts begin on Sunday May 20th and Alex will complete the final mile on the evening of Thursday May 24th, when the Orange Tree will also stage a music night in aid of the charity effort.
More than 20 of the Orange Tree’s staff from Loughborough and its sister pubs in Leicester and Nottingham have pledged to do their share of the cycling, including managing director Ben Hings.
All will be doing their bit during their free time.
Customers are being urged to support the charity effort in aid of Malaria No More UK, which is part of a global movement to end suffering and death from malaria.
Sponsorship pages have been set up online and donations are being taken at the bar in Bedford Square, Loughborough.
The charity push will culminate in an evening of music on Thursday May 24th when two DJs and two bands play at The Orange Tree.
Entry is free, with customers being urged to donate to the cause.
“Alex is attempting a gruelling challenge in aid of Malaria No More UK, and we have set ourselves a target of raising more than £1,000 to help the cause,” said Liam.
“A little goes a long way in the fight against malaria. £5 is enough to buy, hang and deliver a life-saving mosquito net to a family in Africa, protecting two people from malaria. £10 can transport 150 life-saving nets to a community in rural Ghana – enough to protect 300 people.”
Visit
www.justgiving.com/victoryovermalaria for more information or to donate to Alex’s appeal, or leave donations at the Orange Tree.
The photo shows, left to right, Ollie Scott, Dan Newbold, Alex Carter and Liam Richards. Ollie, Dan and Liam are all Orange Tree staff.
Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR
www.perfect10pr.co.uk
