23 Aug George’s gruelling 10 hour marathon bike challenge raises more than £1000 for charity
Our very own colleague – George Grice has raised over £1,000 for the British Heart Foundation which has helped halve the number of people dying from heart and circulatory disease in the UK since its foundation more than 60 years ago.
George’s grandparents on both sides of the family have suffered from heart problems in the past and he is keen to help out the life-saving charity.
The gruelling ride took place a spin bike at the Q Fitness gym not far from his workplace at McCarthy Distribution on Wrexham Industrial Estate on September 4 – riding 10 hours non-stop, covering a distance of over 187kM and taking just one 15-minute comfort break during that time.
The father of a seven-month old baby girl, Fallon, added. “My family have had heart problems and heart conditions for years, my grandparents especially.
“My grandad had a triple heart bypass operation and the British Heart Foundation has always been a big thing for myself and my family. We always try and do a little bit for the British Heart Foundation and I just want to give something back.
“I’ve always wanted to do something for charity and I’ve been thinking about this for months. I like doing spin classes so I thought, that’s it, I’ll do 10 hours on a spin bike.”
George explained a spin bike is different to an exercise bike which many people might have at home.
“It’s called a spin bike because it has a wheel and the resistance can be changed just like when you’re going up a hill. With an exercise bike it’s a more relaxed kind of machine and doesn’t have a wheel just a belt,” he said.
A fitness fanatic George visits the gym five or six times a week and is a qualified personal trainer.
He began working in various gyms in Wrexham from when he was 19 years of age but gave that job up when the Covid-19 pandemic struck and all gyms were closed down. It was then he chose to change career and trained to be a lorry driver.
“They’re a great company to work for. I passed my Class 2 HGV test and started with McCarthy in March last year and now drive one of their 18–ton lorries all over North Wales delivering palletised goods to businesses and individuals.
“It’s a great job and I get to see all the magnificent countryside of North Wales.” he said.
George has recently passed his Class 1 HGV test and is now able to drive articulated trucks weighing up to 45 tons.
Managing director Mike McCarthy said: “We have a great team at McCarthy Distribution and George is a lovely guy with a heart of gold.
“We’re very proud that George has taken on such a mammoth challenge for such a good cause.”
The British Heart Foundation was founded in 1961 by a group of medical professionals who were concerned about the increasing death rate from cardiovascular disease. They wanted to fund extra research into the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of heart and circulatory diseases.
It is a major funder and authority in cardiovascular research, education, and care, and relies predominantly on voluntary donations to meet its aims. In order to increase income and maximise the impact of its work, it also works with other organizations to combat premature death and disability from cardiovascular disease. BHF fundraising events, such as the one being organised by George, accounted for nearly £54m of income in 2019-20.
Donations can still be made to the page – www.justgiving.com/George-Grice1.com