13 CYCLISTS braved the North East Autism Society’s inaugural Tweed to Tees’s challenge.

 

A gruelling 150 miles were conquered by Team NEAS over two days.

 

Starting on Saturday morning in Berwick upon Tweed and ending on Sunday evening in Stockton on Tees, the route was selected to showcase just how far NEAS’ lifeline services reach.

 

NEAS’ own CEO, John Phillipson, Trustee, John Hodgson and fundraising manager, Kevin Meikle braved the challenge, with representatives from NG Bailey, Total Business Group, Dualmech Ltd, NHS, Jelf, Lookers and Durham County Council joining Team NEAS.

 

Their efforts certainly paid off as the group has raised a total of £7,236.01 so far.

 

Day one put the team through their paces, with two detours due to flooding and a strong head wind working against them the majority of the way. Passing through the likes of Seahouses and Alnmouth, they enjoyed soaking up some of the picturesque views along the coast and castles route.

 

Day one drew to a close when they reached Newcastle upon Tyne and toasted a well-deserved drink after 12 hours’ worth of cycling and 90 miles under their belts.

 

Day two began with the end in sight and 60 miles to go. The team picked up the pace when they reached Beamish and made their way to New Warlands Farm. Families and staff members were waiting patiently with a full-English breakfast ready to cheer them on and help the team refuel.

 

The team stayed together throughout the course of the weekend with support drivers and volunteers, Ann and Hugh from Activa, and Sophie, Bill, Grainger and Andrew from NEAS on hand throughout the day to ensure the cyclists were well-fuelled and hydrated.

 

Fundraising manager, Kevin Meikle, said:

The event was a massive success. Not only from a fundraising point of view, but also from the perspective of the close partnerships we created through taking part in the challenging shared experience.

 We hope to build on this next year, having established a core group of riders and supporters and scale it to become an annual feature, getting bigger and better year on year.

“There was a fantastic atmosphere and team spirit from start to finish. We all supported one another and really pulled each other around the route and a special mention to those leading us out for the majority of it, they really helped keep a pace to proceedings.

 

“We all worked together to not only raise funds, but to create awareness of the work we do, and promote acceptance for autistic people.”

 

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To find out more about how you could join Team NEAS and support us

Contact the team.