Riders on board Royal Fleet Auxiliary Ship Argus took charity bike riding to another level recently with a 14 hour session in the ship’s gym.
RFA personnel along with their Royal Navy colleagues as well as RN Reservists and Officer Cadets who were embarked, set themselves a target of 252 miles – equivalent to the distance from RFA Argus’ base port of Falmouth to Bournemouth, where they were working during the annual Bournemouth Air Festival.
However, the target was smashed as a total of 55 riders eventually clocked up a staggering 645 miles, obliterating their original goal!
“It’s a monumental effort from everyone who decided to spend their Sunday in the gym balanced on a small uncomfortable saddle, rather than look at the Airshow going on around them,” said Maritime Aviation Support Force’s (MASF) Chief Petty Officer Dave Maitland.
“The money raised will go to the Mermaid Centre at Treliske Hospital in Truro, a specialised unit for Breast Cancer that helps screen & rehabilitate patients.” (Dave’s wife has personally benefited from the Unit.)
Starting early, and despite their busy programme, the ship's Skipper, Captain Karl Woodfield RFA and Senior Naval Officer on board, Lieutenant Tony Harrison were the first to add their miles.
Eventually by the close at 10.30pm they clocked up a staggering 645 miles – equivalent to the distance from Lands’ End to Lerwick in the Shetland Islands "obliterating our original goal," said Petty Officer (Supply Chain) Dan Isaacs, who organised the event.
Along with other money raising events and other generous donations during the day by personnel onboard, the grand total came to £520. Dan also gave a special thanks to all those who took part.
“We eventually called it a day late on Sunday, but it was a tremendous effort from everyone. The generosity of the Ships Company and our many visitors was fantastic. In particular, I have to take my hat off to Third Officer Duncan White who cycled a whopping 13.16 miles in only 30 minute, a really brilliant effort!”
RFA Argus’ Ships Company and personnel from RNAS Culdrose’s MASF will make a presentation to Treliske Hospital when they return to their Home port of Falmouth.
