May 2008 - NEWCASTLE FALCONS WINGER SWAPS RUGBY BALL FOR TWO WHEELS TO RAISE £40,000 WITH HELP FROM NORTHGATE
Newcastle Falcons wing Tom May has taken to two wheels as he cycles 550 miles in seven days with backing from North East-based Northgate Vehicle Rental.
Tom started his epic bike ride from Kingston Park on Wednesday (May 28) and plans to complete it next Wednesday (June 4) at Twickenham, the spiritual home of English rugby union.
In between Tom will visit the 11 other ruby clubs that compete in the Guinness Premiership - Leeds, Worcester, Bristol, Saracens, London Irish, Harlequins, Sale, Leicester, Bath, Wasps and Gloucester - as well as newly promoted Northampton.
He hopes to raise £40,000 for Just for Kids, the official charity of Metro Radio and Magic 1152, aiming to raise and allocate funds to the thousands of children in North East who rely on charitable support.
Northgate Vehicle Rental, which has outlets at Blaydon and Wallsend and runs a fleet of more than 2,000 vehicles, has donated four minibuses that are acting as support vehicles on Tom's journey.
The company is part of Northgate plc, the UK's largest light commercial vehicle rental operator with a fleet of more than 68,500 vehicles available for rent from 90 outlets across the UK.
Mike Robertson, managing director of Northgate Vehicle Rental, said: "When Tom May's team approached us we were happy to support his charity cycle. Just for Kids is a local charity specialising in helping children within the North East. We are therefore delighted to help Tom in his journey and wish him well and good luck in reaching his £40,000 target."
To sponsor Tom, log on to www.justgiving.com/tomsjustforkidsbikeride
