Calder staff’s pedal power raises more than £1,200 for charity

tour de calder

Staff at Calder Vets who took to the saddle to cycle across Yorkshire for charity smashed their fundraising target by more than 300 per cent.

The Tour de Calder Vets, which took place on Sunday, September 24, raised a total of £1,294 against the original target of £400.

The ride took the 11 participants over distances of between four and 53 miles, dependent on the cyclists’ ability, and passed close to all of the practice’s 12 branches across Yorkshire.

Practice manager Tracy Hemingway said: “This was a magnificent result and far exceeded our expectations. We are deeply grateful to all those who contributed to our achievement.”

Those taking part were veterinary surgeons Gemma Kilby, Adam Bell, James Tate and Mark Harrison, veterinary nurses Katie Roberts, Lara Mchale and Kate Ellis, trainee veterinary nurse Billy Slater, receptionists Ruth Bushby and Beverley Turner and practice manager Tracy Hemingway.

The money they raised will be split equally between two charities close to the riders’ hearts.

The first is Hope Pastures, which rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes horses, ponies and donkeys, as well as giving people the opportunity to meet the animals and find out how they look after them. It was chosen as a tribute to former Calder Vets colleague Lynsey Bacon, a passionate horse-lover, who unexpectedly passed away late last year.

The second charity is Vetlife, which provides a free 24/7 service offering emotional, financial and mental health support to everyone in the veterinary community, including vet nurses and students.

To find out more about the two charities, visit www.hopepastures.org and www.vetlife.org.uk.