WILL AND MARCUS GEAR UP FOR THREE-DAY LONDON TO PARIS FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE

Blue Bell Crewe MINI Sales Executive Will Willis and Blue Bell MINI Wilmslow Local Business Development Executive Marcus Hoyle are gearing up for a gruelling three-day London to Paris cycle ride, all in aid of The Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre.

Will, 32, who lives in Tarporley, and Marcus, 32, who lives in Lymm, plus six friends, are currently in training for the challenging 250-mile ride in memory of their close friend, Liz Gardner, who passed away following a long battle with the condition, aged 30 in 2010.

The team of friends, who admit that their usual exercise consists of ‘lifting pints and walking around pool tables’, have set themselves the target of raising £2,000 for charity, and are already well on their way to success, with more than £650 collected so far.

The Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, based in Wythenshawe, is one of the largest and longest established adult Cystic Fibrosis centres in the UK, with an international reputation for excellence and innovation.

It is a regional specialist unit and treats patients from all over the North West.

Will explains: “It’s a tough challenge and we’ll be covering around 100 miles a day. To motivate us, we want to bring back as much money as we can for a charity that is close to our hearts, The Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre.

“Liz had Cystic Fibrosis. A condition that meant she battled through everyday but she was a person that never once showed any day was a challenge.”

“The condition is one of the most common life-threatening genetic disorders, affecting around 8,500 people in the UK. Each week in the UK, three young lives are lost to Cystic Fibrosis.

“It primarily affects the lungs, with repeated chest infections and breathlessness, but also affects nutrition, diabetes, bones and joints. The many different organs that can be affected mean that optimal care requires input from a range of different specialists and, of course, that costs money.

“Any donation will be gratefully received. All proceeds will go directly to the wards that helped the wonderful Liz Gardner at the Wythenshawe Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre.”

You can sponsor Marcus, Will and the team by visiting their JustGiving fundraising page at http://www.justgiving.com/cycleforcysticfibrosis.

Sue Brownson OBE, Blue Bell Group Managing Director, commented: “Here at Blue Bell we’re all supporting Marcus, Will and the team. We’re sure they will complete the challenge in style.

“The Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre is an excellent cause which I know is very close to the team’s hearts so we’re right behind them.”

For more information on Blue Bell MINI Wilmslow visit the dealership on Dean Row Road, Wilmslow, SK9 2TA or call 01625 527527.

For more information on Blue Bell MINI Crewe visit the dealership on Gateway, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 6YY or call 01270 214800.

For more information about the Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre visit http://www.uhsm.nhs.uk.