Members of Penwith Velo Cycle Club
Young members of a cycle club took their feet off the brakes after gas emergency and pipeline service, Wales & West Utilities, helped six Cornish youngsters make a trip to the velodrome in Newport, Wales.
Penwith Velo Cycle Club, which has been running since 2013, has been fundraising for many things including kit, equipment and events and it was hoped to take the youngsters on a trip to Wales National Velodrome in Newport during the summer but a lack of funds meant the trip had to be put on hold. It was only after Club Secretary and Wales & West Utilities Gas Emergency Service manager, Keith Nash led a bag-packing effort at a supermarket in Carbis Bay, and Wales & West Utilities agreed to provide £300 match-funding, that the trip was given the green light.
This weekend saw the youngsters and their families make the trip to Newport to cycle in one of only five internationally recognised indoor velodromes in Britain.
Keith, who has been involved with the club through his children, Tom and Katie, has worked at Wales & West Utilities and predecessor companies for over 37 years. He explains the motivations for the fundraising:
“As a club that’s run entirely on a volunteer basis, we are always trying to raise money. We had a clear vision to give the young riders the opportunity to ride at the Velodrome but, unfortunately, money earmarked for the trip had to be spent on more pressing items which meant it was put on hold.”
Not one to give up, Keith decided to put on a bag-packing exercise at his local supermarket and was thrilled with the money it raised.
“The kind people of Cornwall dug deep that weekend and we were delighted to have raised hundreds of pounds. You can imagine how thrilled we were to learn that my employer, Wales & West Utilities, would match-fund our efforts bringing the total to just under £800.
“This money has meant that we are able to put on the trip. For most of our youngsters it was the first time they’ve ridden in a velodrome and what an experience it was. On behalf of our Club and its members I’d like to thank Wales & West Utilities for this money – it allowed memories to be made for our members and their families.”
Penwith Velo Cycle Club has seen its membership steadily grow since 2013 and now sees approximately forty regular riders take part in its activities. Based out of St Ives School, its members come from across the local area.
People & Engagement Director, Sarah Hopkins, from Wales & West Utilities added:
“We are committed to supporting the fundraising efforts of our colleagues. Keith and the team at the club are doing a fantastic job in raising money to help young people from across the local area experience sport.
“Our match-funding contribution seeks to make the money raised go further and we wish the club the very best of luck for the future.”
Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service that serves the south west of England and Wales, puts customers at the heart of the business and is rated the top utility company in the UK for customer service. If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call us on 0800 111 999 and our engineers will be there to help, day or night.
The company also has a multi-million pound, 30-year gas pipe investment programme which began in 2002. Old metal pipes within 30 metres of buildings are being replaced with new long-lasting plastic pipes with a lifespan of more than 80 years, to make sure homes and businesses continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply now and in the future.