Lavendon Group employees set for 790km European Cycle Challenge

Employees from the world’s largest specialist access rental business, Lavendon Group plc, are to come together and complete an international Cycle Challenge.

Four mixed teams of employees from Nationwide Platforms (UK), Gardemann (Germany), Lavendon (France) and DK Rentals (Belgium) will be completing the 790 km ride in a relay event that will touch each of the four countries.

The Cycle Challenge will begin on 18^th September in Gardemann’s Alpen depot and finish on 26^th September 2012 in Lutterworth, UK, the Lavendon Group’s international headquarters. The route will see the cyclists pass through the business’ powered access depots on each day of the challenge.

The teams will be raising money for charities based in each of the four locations following employee nominations and votes. The charities chosen were Cancer Research UK, Centre Accueil Alzheimer (Belgium), Enface et Partage (France) and Dolphin Aid (Germany),

A total of nearly 40 employees from across the Lavendon Group have volunteered to help make the challenge happen, including cyclists and drivers from each of the countries. As each relay team travels through each country they will also be joined by a representative from the business, including Mike Potts, Managing Director, Nationwide Platforms and Matthew Hickin, Managing Director, Gardemann.

External supporters of the challenge include manufacturer Skyjack which provided a donation to cover the cost of the bikes, as well as a number of other suppliers, customers and industry partners whose support has made the Lavendon Cycle Challenge a reality.

Lavendon Group Chief Executive Don Kenny said: “Working as a team is the driving force behind all the things we achieve as a business. The Lavendon Group Cycle Challenge directly brings together our European businesses to achieve something genuinely impressive.”

“On behalf of everyone in the business I would also like to extend my appreciation to all of the organisations who have supported our challenge and the very worthy causes we’ve pledged to support.”

Last year, Management Trainees from Nationwide Platforms rode between depots across the UK, beginning their journey in Aberdeen and finishing in Cornwall.  By the end of the cycle the trainees had raised more than £10,000 for construction industry charity the Lighthouse Club.

This time, at the end of the cycle challenge, Nationwide Platforms will be putting one of the high-specification Specialized bikes into a free prize draw. All donors who register a donation at:  www.justgiving.com/Lavendon-Group-PLC will be entered in to the free prize draw. Once the £600 donation mark is reached, a further bike will be made available in the draw. Entries to the free prize draw can also be made by emailing charity@nationwideplatforms.co.uk or by liking Nationwide Platforms’ Facebook page.

The progress of the cyclists will be documented throughout the week on the Facebook and Twitter pages of Nationwide Platforms, as well as industry website www.Vertikal.net.  A tracking facility will enable readers to follow the progress of the cyclists on each day.