Alastair Frew and Mike Wakeling, both partners at Lodders will be taking part in a three-day, 185 mile cycle ride to raise funds for local children’s charity Molly Ollys. The bike ride leaves York Castle at 8.45am on 8th July, finishing day one 75 miles later at Castleton in the Peak District (which includes a 3500ft climb). They will ride 60 miles on day two, finishing the middle leg in Derby, with the final day and 50 miles taking them into Warwickshire and the finish line in Shrewley.

The charity, which has its 10th anniversary this year, emotionally supports babies and children up to 18 who have life-threatening illnesses, and their families, to help with their emotional wellbeing. It provides gifts to individuals and donates therapeutic toys and books to children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK. Rachel Ollerenshaw and her husband, Tim, set up Molly Ollys not long after their daughter, Molly, very sadly died from a rare kidney cancer.

Choosing Molly Ollys Bike Ride as their latest fundraising cycling challenge was an easy decision, as Mike Wakeling explains:

“The charity is very dear to me,” he says. “Molly was at school with my son Ben, and I know her parents Tim and Rachel well. It was devastating when Molly was diagnosed aged just three with a Wilms tumour, and despite a long and brave five-year fight, she sadly passed away in 2011. When I heard about the York to Warwick Bike Ride that is part of the charity’s events in this its 10th anniversary year, I knew I wanted to take part and help raise funds to support Molly Olly and its team to continue their amazing work.”