'Tri' and succeed at Port challenge for charity

Six Port of Dover employees have successfully completed a 75km tri challenge through the roads, rivers and paths of east Kent. Raising money for the RNLI and Demelza Hospice Care for Children, Dave Bates, Grant Burdon, Dale House, Michael Grace, Simon Greenhalgh and Steve Rawlings were cheered across the finish line on Dover seafront by family, friends and Port colleagues.

Simon Greenhalgh, a development engineer for the Port of Dover, said: "The challenge went very smoothly, the weather was perfect and both the organisation and support were fantastic. We were so pleased as a team of Port employees to be able to raise money for two great causes."

The 75km challenge was divided into four stages with a 35km cycle ride from the Port of Dover to Grove Ferry (Canterbury), a 5km row from Grove Ferry to Plucks Gutter, a further 25km cycle ride from Plucks Gutter to Kingsdown (Deal) and finishing with a 10km run from Kingsdown to the Port of Dover.

There were also a few extra challenges thrown in when a pack of dogs almost brought the cycling to a halt and Dave managed to run his team mates over in his kayak. Simon's bike also managed to get a puncture whilst in the transit van that was taking them to each stage of the challenge.

The team wishes to give a special thank you to Dover Sea Sports Centre for the supply of the kayaks both for training and for use on the day itself. They also wish to thank Philip Smith of Monkton Court Farms for allowing access, Laser Transport International for use of a van, to Port colleague Simon Farbrace who drove it on the day and to all who supported them.

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: "I am incredibly proud of the whole team who do themselves and the Port of Dover great credit in taking on such a challenge for such worthy causes. It is fantastic to see our people working so hard for their community."