CWU Postman's 24 hour Cycle Ride on Royal Mail Bike

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.cwu.org/news/archive/cwu-pos ... r8.twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Keith Elgar, a CWU representative from the Essex Amalgamated Branch, has completed an epic 24 hour cycle ride covering over 215 miles cycling continuously from South End Mail Centre to Cleethorpes on Saturday 23rd July in his latest challenge in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Tragic loss

In 2007, following the sudden loss of his son Daniel who was also a postman at South End in an accident, work colleagues decided to raise money for a trust fund for the two children Daniel had sadly left behind. They organised a football match between youngsters and veterans and the response was overwhelming for Keith and his family.

The match was organised again in 2008, where it coincided with the loss of another postman, Ken Wright, who died at 50 of cancer. Ken knew Daniel well and it seemed right to donate any money raised to Macmillan Cancer Support. The charity football match is now an annual event named the 'Danny Elgar Cup,' and is greatly supported by all the postmen, postwomen, friends and family of South End Mail Centre.

Going a step further

Keith became a supporter of Macmillan's local 'Coffee Morning' fundraising event and brought many union members along to raise money. It was decided that the event could be expanded to rural offices and at one of these meetings Keith announced that he would cycle for 24 hours non-stop on a Royal Mail bike. When asked why, Keith stated: "I must have got caught up in the emotion of it all!"

John Hunt, Branch Secretary of the Essex Amalgamated Branch, said: "Keith is an amazing man, he is an inspiration to all of us." Praising his energy, John went on to say: "Keith's courage knows no bounds. He just seems to get his head down and he's off - not bad for a 51 Year old!"

The journey

Aided by two local delivery reps - Kevin Martin and Andy Monteith - who drove a support van all night, Keith said: "Talking about it was easy but I soon discovered doing it was another matter."

Very near the end of his journey, Keith realised if he was to reach the proposed destination, Skegness, he would finish too early. A mad last minute decision was made and they pressed on to Grimsby instead. What Keith did not account for was a sign with the words 'Welcome to Lincolnshire Wolds,' which meant 30 to 40 miles of hills before having to detour again to Cleethorpes for breakfast as Grimsby was closed.

Support the cause

Keith has said that all are welcome at the next 'Danny Elgar Cup' charity football match, again in aid of Macmillan Nurses, on Sunday, 28th August 2011, at South End Manor Football Club, Southchurch Park. The kick off is 3pm, and will be followed by a social in the evening with entertainment.

To support Keith and Macmillan Nurses in raising money for this cause and to see the current figure raised, simply donate online at Keith's JustGiving page. http://www.justgiving.com/Keith-Elgar" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Wessex]

That is very impressive , quite a distance especially if it was a mailstar.I presume though it was one of the older models but still a very impressive distance

[music4essex]

I second what Wessex said, it had also been in our local newspaper,

Keith has been helping me out with my ongoing problems with our dim/dom

Back from two weeks in orlando back to the grind on monday

Essex mum

[Lounge Lizard]

That is very impressive , quite a distance especially if it was a mailstar.I presume though it was one of the older models but still a very impressive distance

Yes, more impressive than those who walked 100 miles over five days.
Many years ago I knew someone who had cycled 444 miles in 24 hours, some record I think, but he was fanatical and wasn't on a Royal Mail bike.