I would ride 500 miles and I would ride 500 more…

Ryman is getting on its *stationary* bike to raise money for charity – and they need you!

10 years ago | UPDATED 10 years ago

Since 2009, Ryman has proudly been a key contributor to the Comic Relief and Sport Relief cause, having raised £1,900,000 to date. Last year, the St Andrews branch raised over £1700 in-store, with a huge chunk of that coming over 2 days from their ‘Tour de Scotland’ event, cycling on an Exercise Bike between each of their Scottish stores from St Andrews to Dumfries. This year, they’ve decided to think bigger and go further. Much further…

This year they’re clambering back onto their stationery[sic] bikes again, aiming to cycle across the UK – starting from their furthest Northern store in St Andrews and pedalling all the way to their furthest Southern store in Penzance. As the crow flies, it’s almost 500 miles each way, and if they get enough volunteers to help them cover the distance, they think they can make it there and back again – that’s 1,000 miles!

10 days have been set aside for the challenge, starting on Monday 23rd February and finishing on Wednesday 5th March. Ryman is hoping this event will help them meet, if not surpass, their target of £3,000 this year.

This is where you come into it, St Andreans! Whether student, staff or townsfolk, you’re needed to take part and help Ryman reach its goal. Town and gown alike are being asked to cycle or donate, and the response has already begun. The St Andrews Triathalon team are already heavily involved, and Ryman is in contact with the AU to try to levy more willing volunteers.That isn’t all that Ryman is doing, however.

As well as ‘cycling’ across the UK, some of the team will be taking part in a National event, organised by their very own Ryman Nuns to raise even more money for Sport Relief.

The Nuns, Michael Brown, better known as “Kato”, Chauffeur to Theo Paphitis, and Ray Winter, Head Of Risk Management, have played a huge role in Ryman’s fundraising success since 2009.

You can view their previous exploits here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEJPv_qSzJw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJpY7T50InI

This year the ‘Nuns On The Pull’ have hung up their rope and are donning snorkels and flippers instead! A top London Diving School has agreed to lend Ryman their dive tank for the whole weekend of 8th and 9th March and allow them to fix two bicycles to the bottom of said tank. Colleagues from all parts of the business have signed up to take part in an underwater cycle race, whilst wearing a scuba mask and specially waterproofed Nun’s vestments – obviously!

Up to 100 competitors will dive down to the bike and cycle for a mile underwater in a relay event in a bid to raise a massive £25,000 for Sport Relief. You can support the Nuns at their sponsorship page: http://my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/nuns-down-under and they’ll also be collecting donations in-store for the St Andrews Sisters: Lisa Hamilton and Louise Thaw.