Hot tub treat and donations boost cyclists
Andy Slater- 7 years ago
Cyclists on an epic journey in aid of Chloe’s Chemoo Cows have been boosted by a special hot tub treat and the news that they have helped to break through the £5,000 donations mark.
Mark McNeil is helping to raise funds and awareness for Chloe’s Chemoo Cows in memory of his daughter Chloe who passed away at the age of 11 after being diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour and had a tough and emotional start to day seven of the Lands End to John o’ Groats cycle journey, which is now over the half way mark and has currently gained £5,120 in donations.
Today, Mark and his group of friends Stevie Gilmore, Gary Crombie, David Paterson, Berny Mullin and Gary Hardy, took on their biggest challenge in the Shap Fell Hill that climbs some 440 meters.
“I can honestly say that was very tough physically and emotionally,” reported Mark, who has Chloe’s picture looking at him from the centre of the handle bars to urge him on.
Tonight the team will be staying at Glenlossie Guest House in Dumfries. Tomorrow night, all being well after the eighth day of their epic journey, the guys will get to see their families for the first time since the start of their cycle.
It will be an emotional reunion for Mark’s wife Elaine. During the fourth day of the cycle journey Elaine revealed that she was missing Mark and also thanked the other team member’s families for their sacrifices and support.
“I’m really missing Mark, the house is very quiet (and tidy) without him,” reported Elaine. “Makes me appreciate the sacrifice the team’s family are making – so just want to say a special thank you to the wives, partners and children for their support too.”
Hot tub and log cabin dealership Caldera Spas Scotland is sponsoring the charity cycle as part of its tenth anniversary and has been posting regular reports along the route, which have taken in Stoke City’s football ground and a stop off for a soothing hot tub soak in Bristol.
After completing day three of their journey, the team enjoyed a soak in a HotSpring Envoy NXT thanks to the hospitality of HotSpring at their Cadbury Garden Centre in Congresbury.
HotSpring Sales Executive Meirion Stenner gave them a warm welcome and helped them to sooth away their aches and pains in the showroom’s Envoy, while they sipped on Champagne.
“We had previously offered to host the team, after receiving publicity about the cycle event, and the guys were able to spend half-an-hour in the Envoy NXT after we had closed the showroom to the public,” divulged Meirion.
“The guys arrived just as we were closing and they were in really good spirits and had a good laugh. We provided them with Champagne and we had a chat while they were in the hot tub for about 30 minutes and then they said that they were looking forward to getting some rest in their beds for the night.”
Meirion has been in the position for four months after leaving the Navy but has plenty of experience in the wet leisure market thanks to the involvement in his earlier years with his father’s Acorn Swimming Pools business.
“Since I’ve been here sales have been absolutely brilliant,” said Meirion. “I love it and at the weekends you can’t move in our showroom, which is good. It’s been crazy.
“The Envoy that the guys jumped into currently retails for £16,995 and is one of our best-selling models. It is really something else. People are in awe of it. Once they get in it they buy it.”
Caldera Spas Scotland will continue to providing social media updates and news about the donations for Chloe’s Chemoo Cows at www.calderaspasscotland.co.uk/blog throughout the rest of the cycle journey, which is scheduled to finish on July 12.
Details about making a donation can be found at the following websites
www.justgiving.com/chloeschemoocows
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MARK-MCNEIL6
www.calderaspasscotland.co.uk/chloes-charity-cycle-lejog-2017/
