Energy firm cycles 
100km to raise £2,200

Mark Woodward, commercial director of wind turbine business Earthmill led a team of eight colleagues when they took part in the annual 100km bike ride in aid of Acorn, which supports people with dementia and their carers in the Harrogate and Ripon area.

Mr Woodward admitted he had been under-prepared for such a long ride.

“I sailed through the first half of the ride, but then we turned back into what felt like a force 10 gale which didn’t give up for the next 50km and it became quite gruelling. My legs were killing me and we passed 18 nice pubs which my companions refused to let me stop in!” he said.

Nevertheless, the Earthmill team pedalled on and completed the course.

Mr Woodward added: “These days it seems most people’s lives have been touched in some way by dementia and sponsored events like the Acorn ride are a brilliant way for everyone to get involved in fundraising.”

This year 620 cyclists took part in the Acorn Bike Ride, raising a total of around £35,000 for the charity.

Mr Woodward’s Just Giving page is still open for sponsorship at www.justgiving.com/Mark-Woodward4