SIX keen cyclists from Rowlands Accountants, which has an office in Crook, County Durham will be covering the length and breadth of the region as they undertake a gruelling challenge this weekend to raise money for two local charities. 

The Round Rowlands Charity Bike Ride will see David Nairn who lives in Durham, Andrew Little from Morpeth, John White from Wigton in Cumbria, Andrew Wimshurst from Washington, Peter Ledgerwood from Newcastle and Dean Lamb from Murton tackle nearly 200 miles in the course of the two days during which they will visit the firm’s six North-East offices. 

Starting from the Angel of the North, adjacent to the firm’s Birtley office, the team’s first day will see them visit offices in Sunderland, Yarm and Crook before heading to Durham overnight.  Their journey will start again on Sunday and take in Hexham and Ponteland with the final leg taking them via Newcastle to finish up back at the Birtley office. 

Rowlands will be raising money for Henry Dancer Days (www.henrydancerdays.co.uk), a charity set up in 2011 by Jane and Gary Nattrass in memory of their son Henry - who was diagnosed three years ago with Osteosarcoma a particularly aggressive form of cancer - to support families with children who have bone cancer. 

The team will also be supporting The Daisy Chain Project (www.daisychainproject.co.uk) based in Norton, Stockton-on-Tees which provides help to families with a child affected by autism.

Jane Nattrass from Henry Dancer Days is a long-standing Rowlands client and said; “We are very grateful to Rowlands for the support that they are giving to Henry Dancer Days.  The money raised will help support more families at a very difficult time whilst their children are being treated for cancer.  It’s a tough challenge that they are undertaking and I hope they aren’t suffering too much by the end of it.”

David Nairn, partner at Rowlands added; “We are proud to be associated with these charities and support the important role they play in helping children and their families in the local community.”

He also thanked the support given by one of the firm’s clients, Sanctuary Bikes Limited (www.sanctuarybikes.com) and said; “Ian Hughes and his team will be providing backup and mechanical help and support.  They have also agreed to supply a discount voucher for their store to all who make a donation to the charity through either of the online donation websites.”

Anybody wishing to support the team on its challenge can do so at http://www.justgiving.com/roundRowlands1 or https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/rowlandsaccountants1 .