Former Glazerite UK Group chairman John Hewitt and a team of industry faces have hit the road Stateside for mental health charity, We Mind & Kelly Matters (WM&KM).
The epic cycle ride across the USA – dubbed the ‘Loneliest Road’ – is the latest in a series of Kelly’s Heroes fundraising challenges set to raise money for WM&KM, while raising awareness of mental health.
The US leg kicked off in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday 24th September, hot on the heels of the European leg of the challenge, which saw riders cycle from Spain to the HQ of main sponsors, VEKA Group, in Germany. The 12-strong team faced extreme heat across the continent for the challenge, which also saw them climb 3924ft up Mont Ventoux.
John is being joined on the ‘Loneliest Road’ by his daughter Amy, Glazerite’s James Westley, and the likes of Sarah Ball from Balls 2 Marketing, Roy Frost from Listers, DoorCo’s Dan Sullivan, FCD’s Adrian Lewis, and Peter Mew from Mews Windows. The USA route will cover 3336 miles and cross seven mountain ranges along the infamous Highway 50. The team aim to finish the challenge in San Francisco on 10th October 2022, to coincide with World Mental Health Day.
Glazerite’s Production Manager, James Westley, who is taking part says: “This is definitely the biggest challenge I’ve ever taken on. Having just completed the European leg we are now on the USA leg. All the riders have a reason and drive for taking part. I’m doing so in memory of Churton Wilson, 40, Nick Taylor, 36, Anthony Griffiths, 36, and of course my niece, Kelly Hewitt, 24.
“Our efforts are in the hope that those in need know that they can talk and seek help with no shame. If it means we can save just one life in the process it makes it all worth it.”
Donations have reached the half way mark. To help the team smash their fundraising target and support mental health, visit: www.justgiving.com/campaign/Kellys-Heroes-The-Loneliest-Road-2022
You can catch up with the team on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm88Ml5bbkU and contribute to the miles being covered by taking part in the virtual challenge at www.ultrabritain.com/events/kellys-heroes/the-loneliest-road/mCCwYMZF8J/the-loneliest-road-jogle