Welshpool firm backs Andrew

Cycling 980 miles with a conventional bicycle would be hard enough for most people, but when you are attempting it with a hand bike it is another matter. 

As we reported last week, that is just what Andrew Paddison from near Welshpool is doing with the support of Invertek Drives Ltd in aid of cancer charities. 

Andrew will leave Land’s End on July 13 to undertake the challenge, with five volunteers supporting him on the way. He aims to complete between 70 to 80 miles a day. 

The former planning manager says he aims to raise money for Macmillan, Prostate Cancer UK and Bloodwise as part of the challenge as well as marking the 60th anniversary of the first baby being born with thalidomide in the UK and the effects it had on a generation.

“I began hand biking when I took early retirement around six years ago. I enjoy it and I thought it would be good to try something a little bit more challenging to raise money for cancer charities,” he said.

“This year is also the 60th anniversary of the first thalidomide baby born in the UK. Most people want to portray people like myself as victims of thalidomide whereas I prefer to demonstrate the positive side of what you can do with the human body and the challenge of Land’s End to John O’Groats is a good way of dispelling misconceptions,” said Andrew. 

For years Andrew was an avid squash player in a local league and can now be found playing golf on local courses as well as hand cycling. 

This latest challenge will see him hand bike along some gruelling sections and inclines on his journey from one end of the country to the other.

He has had to raise nearly £12,000 for the challenge and Welshpool-based Invertek Drives Ltd, which designs and manufactures variable frequency drives for motor control, is sponsoring him. 

“Andrew has challenged himself with what must be one of the toughest bike rides possible, made all the more difficult through the fact it will be hand-powered. We’re pleased to be supporting him on his charity ride and wish him all the best,” said Rhydian Welson, Sales and Marketing Director at Invertek Drives Ltd. 

Team Paddison’s Just Giving page can be found here: http://bit.ly/2FwxsK5

PICTURE: Andrew Paddison (on hand bike) with Dr David Jones, Rhydian Welson, Charles Haspel and Glyn Jones, directors of Invertek Drives Ltd and support cyclist Bob Bain (second right)