City workers take on 450 mile cycle challenge as part of £300k fundraiser in aid of Motor Neurone Disease Association

Staff from Toyota (GB) plc and partner companies will set off from Portsmouth on Monday, June 24, on a five day challenge finishing in Newcastle on the last leg of their adventure.

The team of 51 riders includes workers from insurance company Aioi Nissay Dowa UK (AND-E), based at Quorum Business Park, in Newcastle.

Mum of one, Christie Spence-Evans, 36, from Gosforth, Newcastle, has been training for the big event for months.

She said: “This challenge will really push me to my limits, but hopefully, I can change the ‘why have I done this?’ to ‘look what I’ve done’ and make my little girl proud.

“The challenge is about raising awareness for MNDA. Knowing that our efforts can make a positive impact on the lives of others gives me a real sense of purpose and fulfillment.”

The team of riders are hitting the road to raise awareness and funds for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association. MND is a rapidly progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. MND is life-shortening and there is no cure, but symptoms can be managed to help achieve the best possible quality of life. It currently affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK and hit the headlines again this month after the death of former rugby league star Rob Burrow who had been battling the condition for years.

Christie’s colleague Barry Storey, from Washington, will be joining the ride and spoke of why he was supporting the charity.

He said: “Mobility is such a big part of people’s lives and it’s easy to take our own mobility for granted. I fell while out cycling, breaking some ribs and damaging my shoulder and hand. This resulted in me not being able to do the everyday things I take for granted.

“It had quite an impact on me, but it was something I recovered from. If you have MND, your life will change forever. This is why I want to help this charity by raising funds through the bike challenge.”

The full team includes riders from Toyota (GB) plc, Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota Financial Services (UK) PLC , KINTO UK, Toyota Insurance Services Europe and Aioi Nissay Dowa UK.

They will complete an average of 135km a day finishing the full five day adventure at the Aioi Nissay Dowa UK offices in Newcastle.

The full route itinerary is:

- Day 1 KINTO UK Portsmouth - Toyota (GB) plc Burgh Heath

- Day 2 Toyota (GB) plc Burgh Heath - Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association Northampton

- Day 3 Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association Northampton - Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK Burnaston

- Day 4 Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK Burnaston - Vantage Motor Group York

- Day 5 Vantage Motor Group York - Aioi Nissay Dowa UK Newcastle.

Toyota (GB), Toyota Financial Services, Toyota Insurance Services and KINTO UK aim to raise £300,000 through a range of charity challenges to provide vital funds to allow the MND Association to continue its research, improve care, and provide support for people with the disease, their families and carers.

Anyone wishing to donate to the cause can do so via justgiving at www.justgiving.com/campaign/onetoyotacharitychallenge