Member Article

Blackburn building surveyor raises a ‘wheelie’ big sum for charity

The national building surveyor for flexible business space provider, Bizspace, has completed a ride of a lifetime to raise more than £1,200 for charity.

Andrew Ainsworth, who lives in Wilpshire and is based at Bizspace’s Glenfield Business Park in Blackburn, braved 190 miles and two days in the saddle to raise the impressive sum for Parkinson’s UK.

Andrew, 46, who has worked at Bizspace for six years, enjoys cycling as a pastime and began more intensive training, combined with a strict nutrition regime, earlier this year to prepare for the Mitie London Revolution event, which would be the longest route he had tackled.

His training involved building gradually from 15 mile rides through the hills of the Ribble Valley up to a personal record of 92 miles, before taking on the challenge of more than double this distance.

“I had never done two days of extended riding back-to-back so it was an unknown, and I was concerned about running out of energy. It has happened before where I’ve just hit a wall and it’s an awful feeling, but luckily I was fine once I got back in the saddle on the second day,” Andrew said.

“The hardest part was the constant effort you had to put in, constantly pedalling for more than seven hours. There was a fantastic atmosphere, though, and everyone encouraged you to keep going.”

The London Revolution is a 190-mile route around the capital, which takes in the iconic climb up Box Hill, made famous at the 2012 Olympics, as well as a home run through the city itself and over the impressive spectacle of Tower Bridge.

A highlight for Andrew was the sense of camaraderie and the atmosphere when all the thousands of participants camped together after the first day of cycling, enjoying entertainment and live music.

Andrew chose to raise money for Parkinson’s as his father suffers from the condition. The married dad-of-two smashed his initial target of £750 and has so far reached £1,200.

“It’s a fantastic feeling to be helping a cause which is so close to my heart. I would like to thank everyone who has donated,” he said.

Donate to Andrew’s total at www.justgiving.com/AndrewAinsworth.

Bizspace is one of the UK’s leading providers of flexible business accommodation.

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