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Associated British Ports (ABP)
Associated British Ports (ABP) has launched Pedal the Ports, a large-scale fundraiser for the Association, which will see sponsored ABP employees taking part in a 1,600-mile tandem bike ride around the Company’s 21 ports, throughout June 2008.
"The idea for Pedal the Ports originated last year, when my predecessor Nick Palmer, announced his decision to retire from the role because he himself is suffering from MND."
John Fitzgerald, ABP Port Director
John Fitzgerald, ABP Port Director
Starting and finishing at the Port of Grimsby, the tandem – ridden by a shifting, relay group of employees – will circumnavigate Britain in an anticlockwise direction, calling at the Ports of Immingham, Hull, Goole, Troon, Ayr, Silloth, Barry, Fleetwood, Garston, Swansea, Port Talbot, Barry, Cardiff, Newport, Plymouth, Teignmouth, Southampton, Ipswich, Lowestoft and King’s Lynn, before arriving back in Grimsby for a port/community open day on 5 July. This will allow the general public to gain access to and experience the workings of a modern port while enjoying a number of activities designed to raise more funds. Events are also being planned at other ports along the route.
John Fitzgerald, ABP Port Director, Grimsby & Immingham, explains the motivation behind the campaign: “The idea for Pedal the Ports originated last year, when my predecessor at Grimsby & Immingham, Nick Palmer, announced his decision to retire from the role because he himself is suffering from MND.
“As Nick worked at all of ABP’s ports over his 27 years at the Company, I thought it would be a fitting tribute to launch a scheme that somehow involved all of those locations, while also raising money for MND research and care. Specifically, we want to raise money for the charity Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND Association), and the Sheffield Institute Foundation (SIF), which aims to develop an international centre of excellence for basic and clinical research in MND, with all the key research skills under one roof.”
He added: “We also thought it would be a good opportunity to bring together as many of ABP’s employees, customers and suppliers in a collaborative effort in recognition of Nick’s contribution to the port community in UK.”
John Fitzgerald, ABP Port Director, Grimsby & Immingham, explains the motivation behind the campaign: “The idea for Pedal the Ports originated last year, when my predecessor at Grimsby & Immingham, Nick Palmer, announced his decision to retire from the role because he himself is suffering from MND.
“As Nick worked at all of ABP’s ports over his 27 years at the Company, I thought it would be a fitting tribute to launch a scheme that somehow involved all of those locations, while also raising money for MND research and care. Specifically, we want to raise money for the charity Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND Association), and the Sheffield Institute Foundation (SIF), which aims to develop an international centre of excellence for basic and clinical research in MND, with all the key research skills under one roof.”
He added: “We also thought it would be a good opportunity to bring together as many of ABP’s employees, customers and suppliers in a collaborative effort in recognition of Nick’s contribution to the port community in UK.”
