|
Wates Construction International has been established in Abu Dhabi since 2009 and is part of a fourth generation family-owned UK construction company, Wates Group. Joining forces with employees from the UK, a team of eight amateur cyclists have signed up to participate in the Tour de Force 2015. This marks the company’s fifth year entering the race.
The Tour de Force follows all 21 stages of the 2015 Tour de France route, which starts on June 27th 2015. Cyclists remain a week ahead of the professionals, finishing on July 19th 2015 on the Champs Elysees in Paris. Bernard Hunt, Senior Project Manager for Wates Construction International in Abu Dhabi, will cycle a total of 550 kilometers over three days, making his way through the Pyrenees Mountains located between France and Spain. He will join eight Wates cyclists from the UK, raising funds for the William Wates Memorial Trust.
The William Wates Memorial Trust was established in 1998 to celebrate the life of William Wates who was tragically killed when travelling in South America. Its mission is to help the most disadvantaged young people in the UK to keep away from a life of crime and violence and fulfill their potential. The Trust largely supports charities that engage young people through sport, arts and education and has granted over AED 10.8 million (£2 million) to date.
The Tour de Force route covers a total distance of 3,344 kilometres and comprises flat and mountainous stages. Bernard Hunt will be joined by Alan Nixon, Andy Baker, Duane McCreadie, Paul O’Driscoll, Richard Smith, Steven Tuckwell, Mark Johnson and Adam Randall. The team aims to raise over AED 218,000 (£40,000) in sponsorship. Currently, Bernard has raised funds from GAC, Eastern International, Gemaco, HLM, Crawfords Electro-Mechanical and private sponsorships.
Jonny Wates, Director at Wates Group, comments: “Bernard and his fellow Tour de Force riders are the embodiment of the community spirit at Wates. Not only are they riding together and supporting each other. They are raising funds for a great charity – The William Wates Memorial Trust. Its purpose is to help the most disadvantaged young people who need support and guidance to fulfil their undoubted potential. Bernard and his colleagues could not have chosen a fiercer section of the Tour route. The Pyrenees are renowned for their raw beauty but also for their savage gradients and vertiginous passes. ‘Chapeau’ to Bernard and all the Wates team. We are all very proud of them and honoured that they should choose to support a cause close to our hearts.”
Bernard Hunt, Senior Project Manager at Wates Construction International in Abu Dhabi, comments: “While I’ve always been an avid cyclist, having participated in the 300 kilometres Vätternrundan challenge in Sweden with over 24,000 people, the Tour de Force will be my most challenging competition so far. My training at the Yas Track and Jebel Hafeet has been a tremendous help. I look forward to joining the rest of the Wates team and raising funds for a great cause that encourages young people to achieve their goals, whatever they may be.”
|
New
Review
Abu Dhabi International Airport - 41°F
