As part of Ridley & Hall’s step into Spring 2023 Sporting challenge, MD Emma Pearmaine will be leading a cycling challenge to raise funds for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund which is a cause very close to her heart. Emma would like to invite everyone to support her complete this challenge and raise a total of £1000.

Emma was born with a hole in her heart and had successful open-heart operations when she was three. Before she was admitted to the children’s hospital in Sheffield, Emma and her family witnessed a very rare event at the Cleethorpes Zoo. A leopard giving birth. The baby cub was named after Emma and was later taken to Emma’s house to visit her after her successful operation. Emma’s story was featured in her local newspaper, the Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph.

Emma is now keen to raise awareness for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund by supporting the Wear Red Day, leading the cycling challenge and strutting the catwalk at the Leeds Fashion Ball on the 27th of April alongside Ridley & Hall’s senior Partner Nigel Priestley and Marketing Manager Themer Slimane.

Emma said: “I had heart surgeries in the 1970’s as a child and have had continued medical support from our local heart specialists intermittently since. The work done by the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund is magnificent, supporting children and families and raising awareness. It is a privilege to be able to support them and I am looking forward to physically challenging myself cycling and stepping out of my comfort zone onto the catwalk with colleagues this year.“

Emma is inviting everyone at Ridley & Hall to join her over Easter to cycle a total distance of 75 miles which is equal to the distance between the 4 Ridley & Hall offices and raise a total of £1,000. Colleagues can cycle outdoors or indoors at home, at the gym or in one of our offices.

Emma’s challenge starts on Monday the 3rd April when she will be cycling from Huddersfield to Leeds (20 miles). On Tuesday 4th April Emma cycles from Leeds to South Elmsall (25 miles). On Wednesday 5th April Emma cycles from South Elmsall to Barnsley (12miles) and she finishes the challenge on Thursday 6th April cycling from Barnsley to Huddersfield (18 miles). The distances are not vast, but all challenges are subjective – and it’s a challenge for Emma! She would love other steady cyclists to join her at any point on her route around Ridley & Hall territory in west and south Yorkshire. Emma is supported on her challenge by her husband Mike and their dog Ruby, who joins them on their cycling adventures in her doggy back pack!

Emma says ‘Mike loves to cycle and goes out all year round cycling at the weekend for miles across west Yorkshire, probably to get some peace and quiet away from me! He persuades me to join him some sunny days, usually with the promise of a pub lunch halfway along the route. I usually cycle between 15 -20 miles with him, so I know I can do this challenge without making myself unwell. For me the challenge of local cycling isn’t the distance – it’s all the hills and steep climbs! Mike bought me an electric bike for my birthday last year and it makes all the difference when tackling the inclines. I am really looking forward to it.’

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