They've done it!  David and John arrived in John O'Groats on Sunday, relatively unscathed and in good spirits.

This tremedous achievement in raising funds for vulnerable and disadvantaged seafarers is hugely appreciated - but there is still plenty of time for you to add your donation!

Read their story below:

Less than two years ago, two veterans of the oil tanker industry, John Hughes and David Savage had not ridden cycles for more than 40 years.  As a member of the Mission to Seafarers’ (M2S) council, John was involved with development of the 200k Tour Pour La Mer bike ride that M2S were holding in 2006 as part of their 150^th Anniversary celebrations, but didn’t think too much about participating at first. David's return to cycling came about as a result of the terrible events in London on 7/7/2005.  He was faced with a choice of either walking home 15 miles or buying a bike.  Having heard of the M2S plans for the ride, an instant decision was made, a bike was bought and a commitment to get fit enough for the M2S ride and field a team was made.  

 When John learned that David was planning to field a team, he quickly changed his mind, signed up and headed for the nearest bike shop!  John was formally Director of the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) and David has worked with OCIMF for 14 years, being Manager of the OCIMF Ship Inspection Report (SIRE) Programme.  OCIMF represent 58 oil companies who are involved with the safety of oil tankers and terminals.  OCIMF’s team of four raised almost £10,000 for the M2S ride, representing the best four individual efforts among the three hundred or so riders.  

 After the ride, which was completed with some credit and in good time by the OCIMF team, both vowed that they had proved the point, made a decent amount of money and the famous last words  “never again!” were spoken.  Only weeks later, however, John found out that an old friend had ridden the ultimate UK cycling challenge – The 1.500k Land’s End to John O’Groats - suggested this to David and another lunatic plan was sown!  They agreed that on this occasion, the ride would be a fundraiser to benefit both the M2S and  AOS.  

 As the AOS area representative for Holy Family Parish, Slaithwaite, in the remote regions of South West Yorkshire – just about as far from the sea as you can get, David was keen to see the AOS benefit from their endeavours.   

 A winter of hard training has followed and both riders have fallen off, David has been knocked off, but neither has been put off! They are now are preparing to go and leave Land’s End for the 14 day trip on 10^th June.  Naturally they are hoping you will support them in raising substantial funds for both charities, delivered practical and pastoral care to seafarers’ in the UK.