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24 April 2007

Start of Trudy Ramsder memorial bike rideThe first Trudy Ramsden Trophy has been hailed a huge success after firefighters crossed the finishing line in less than 20 hours.

Odsal’s Blue Watch clocked an impressive 19 hours, 50 minutes and 29 seconds, raising more than £7,000 along the way for Yorkshire Cancer Research and the Fire Service’s National Benevolent Fund.

The team set offThe relay-style bike ride took them 250 miles on a tandem around all 48 stations in West Yorkshire in memory of fire control operator Trudy Ramsden, who lost a short battle to cancer last year.

Despite two punctures and aching muscles, the firefighters battled through the night to arrive back at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters at 10.50am Sunday. Hollyoaks actress Jenny Metcalfe, who waved them off Saturday afternoon, supported them along the way.

The team cross the finish lineOrganiser and Watch Manager, Richard Hall, said: “It was a great atmosphere and everyone really enjoyed it. Our legs started to feel it towards the end, but it was very satisfying to smash our target of 24 hours.

“We now challenge another watch to complete the ride next year and beat our time – if they do we will gladly pass on the Trudy Ramsden Trophy. It is a fantastic opportunity to raise money for charity and keep the memory of Trudy alive.”

Jenny Metcalfe with Odsal Blue WatchThose who guessed nearest the time have won some fantastic prizes, such as a trip around the Hollyoaks set with Jenny, electrical goods, mountain bikes and shopping vouchers.

Due to the 1st prize in the Trudy Ramsden Memorial Bike Ride being unsuitable for the winner an alternative prize has being arranged, this means that anyone that would like the Hollyoaks Experience can now send a sealed bid to Odsal Fire Station by the 11th May 2007, all bids will be opened on the 12th May at 12.00pm at Macc, the winner will be notified after the draw. Please mark Envelopes with sealed bid for the attention of Blue Watch Odsal.

Name Time
Secs away
Position
Prize
Winning Time 19:50:29
0
NA
NA
Dave Todd 19:50:30
1
1
Mountain Bike
P Hanson 19:50:25
4
2
Helicopter pleasure ride (30 mins)
Val Meredith 19:50:25
6
3
£200 Next vouchers
Lisa Crossland 19:50:22
7
4
Mountain Bike (choose from range)
Nicky Walters 19:50:20
9
5
Mountain Bike
M Day 19:50:00
29
6
Digital Camera
S Gibson 19:51:07
38
7
Hair Straighteners
Brendan Fox 19:52:04
95
8
£50 High Street Shopping Vouchers
Simon O'Hara 19:52:26
117
9
Bike Rack and Tent
Gloria Martin 19:48:23
126
10
£30 Tesco Vouchers
Stan Brownbridge 19:48:20
129
11
Bulls Family Admission
Danny Seekins 19:48:13
136
12
Meal for 4 (Nandos)
Kate Fielden 19:53:08
159
13
Meal for 2 (Nandos)
Andy Hepworth 19:47:20
189
14
£10 Asda Voucher
J Hainsworth 19:53:57
208
15
Speciality Food Basket
Alan Cockerham 19:54:53
264
16
Jewellery


For further information contact Kelly Thornham in the Media and PR Unit on 01274 655807 or 655717.