10 cyclists (we use the term loosely) from A F Blakemore and independent SPAR stores are tackling a mammoth challenge of riding coast to coast over 3 full days covering 380km and nearly 6000 metres of climbing!. The ride will take them from North to South Wales passing through Snowdonia National Park and the Brecon Beacons, finishing in Cardiff to raise funds for Grocery Aid.

The Blakemore cycling team consists of six AFB colleagues. BTP’s New Business Manager Stuart Ware and New Business Executives Paul Vinnell and Oliver Walters will be joining Blakemore Fresh Foods Operations Director Bob Cash, Head of Commercial Cy Wisenden and Retail IT Systems Trainer Iestyn Rhodes, as well as independent SPAR store owners Stuart Read, Mark Steward, Ed Caro and David Macey. They will be teaming up with 70 other riders from all walks of the grocery industry on this gruelling tour

The route will cover -

Thurs 22nd July – Caernarfon to Aberystwyth

Friday 23rd July – Aberystwyth to Brecon

Saturday 24th July – Brecon to Cardiff

All cyclists have been training hard, posting rides, tips

and photos to the Coast to Coast Strava club to encourage everyone to give it their all. Even so this is not task to be undertaken lightly and the team expect to use up lots of saddle cream to survive the long hours each day cycling up and down those Welsh hills!

GroceryAid has been providing emotional, practical and financial support for grocery colleagues since 1857.

GroceryAid can help with a wide range of topics including mental health and wellbeing support, family and relationship advice, debt management, back to work support and counselling. Specialist counsellors are also available for those who have experienced a traumatic incident through our Workplace Critical Incident Support.

Financial grants can help those who may be experiencing hardship due to a change in circumstances.