Clockword assist The Gravity Fundraisers - 15 guys of varying ages, including ex-England Rugby player Dean Richards - in their goal to raise £35,000 for The Jubilee Sailing Trust.
When Dean Richards (ex-England rugby player) approached Clockwork Removals for some help with a European move the company was delighted to help; but this was not a standard move, it involved moving 15 men, 15 bicycles and gallons of water. Dean Richards is part of a team of riders called The Gravity Fundraisers who raise money for local charities by completing annual cycling challenges. Previous years have seen the team cycling from London to Paris, tackling the “Most Dangerous Road in the World” and jet skiing across the channel whilst riding from London to Brussels.
This year was to be their toughest challenge to date; it involved cycling from the legendary Mount Ventoux, a 23km gruelling climb - which is revered as one of the hardest climbs of the Tour de France - finishing three days and 400 miles later at the finish of the 14th Etape of this year’s Tour de France, the mountain stage: Ax Bonascre. The goal was to raise £35,000 for The Jubilee Sailing Trust, to send 20 disabled people on the experience of a lifetime on two specially adapted tall ships.
On 6 June, 2011, 15 guys of varying ages, capabilities and body weight set off for France in a Clockwork van. Four days later, 15 men and 15 bicycles completed this amazing feat of endurance and raised a staggering £60,000, smashing their original target. Dean Richards said, “This was the hardest ride we have done to date, a real challenge from day one with the uphill climb. We are eternally grateful to the team at Clockwork for supplying a support vehicle and for playing a key part in achieving our goals for this great cause.”
The Mover spoke to The Jubilee Sailing Trust to get its reaction to this substantial donation and received this comment from Capt. John Etheridge, the Master of the Lord Nelson, one of the JST’s two training ships. “For a single event this challenge raised an incredible sum,” said Capt. Etheridge. “It is the goodwill and determination of people like Dean's team and Clockwork which, literally, keeps the Jubilee Sailing Trust afloat. I cannot thank them enough.”
It just goes to show that great teamwork, a positive mindset and a Clockwork van really can accomplish anything.
Tenacious (pictured) and the Lord Nelson, operated by the Jubilee Sailing Trust, are the only two tall ships in the world designed and built to enable people of all physical abilities to sail side-by-side as equals.