THE organiser of a popular riding event that raises money for charities in Oswestry and surrounding areas has thanked Aico for its support.

Alan Lewis, who owns Adrenaline Sporting Events, organises the Midnight Ride which set out from Aico's Oswestry base in Maesbury Road last Saturday, June 19.

The Midnight Ride is a cycling event that brings together a community of active people taking part in sporting events to achieve goals ranging from fitness, competition, charity, health, fun or to simply finish the race.

Aico have a strong working relationship with Alan and were eager to support and get involved with the Midnight Ride this year, much to his delight.

He said: "After 15 months of no events it's great to be back doing what we are passionate about and it's brilliant seeing the cycling community here for the seventh Midnight Ride.

"Being able to start and finish at Aico is a dream for the event, the facilities and help that Team Aico provides is amazing.

"To see the Aico team either volunteering or riding at the event is very rewarding for me, as two years ago David Jennings, technical Advisor of Aico, volunteered and this year he was riding to see the pathway that sport provides is inspiring for everyone.

"This is the start of a busy few months with the Brynkinalt Running Festival up next on July 4.”

With the event cancelled because of the pandemic in 2020, the route covered a total of 71 miles with breath-taking scenery for more than 100 riders raising money for The Movement Centre in Oswestry.

The competitors visited Chirk Castle at the beginning of the ride and stopped for a refreshment break during sunset at Powis Castle, before cycling back over the border to finish at Aico’s headquarters in Oswestry.

The Movement Centre specialises in developing children with movement disabilities through their Targeted Training and is celebrating their 25th birthday this year with a goal to put 25 children through their specialised therapy.

Michael Wright, product development manager at Aico, added: “The Midnight Ride has been a great event to be part of.

"To be able to have a unique experience of riding with other cyclists through the sunset into the dark across some great roads, while supporting a local charity in The Movement Centre has been fantastic.

"It’s also been good to see fellow colleagues supporting the event through their volunteering roles, making sure the event ran smoothly.”

Emma Ferguson, from Aico’s internal sales team, was part of the volunteering team and said: “I wanted to volunteer to help support this fantastic charity but knew that riding a bike was not my forte.

"I’m delighted that I could help out in other ways, supporting the riders during their challenge while giving them all plenty of encouragement.”