The former veterans of Wigan Rugby Union club are once more about to embark on a summer fund-raising campaign of bike rides in aid of various charities. Having already raised over £45,000 since starting the rides eight years ago the ‘Vets’ are aiming for this year to be the most successful yet.
The rides were initially started in commemoration of their former colleague, and friend of many, Gerry Cooper who died in August 2006 after a long brave fight against cancer. Gerry was treated at The Christie Hospital in Manchester throughout his illness and so his comrades decided to raise funds for the Christie with a bike ride in his honor. Such was the popularity and enjoyment of the first ride the event has now been extended to four rides throughout the summer season for various local charities. All the rides are open to everyone, are all off road, and of course, are all in a good cause.

This year will be a particularly poignant one as it will be ten years since Gerry’s untimely passing. He was such a jovial character and it only seems fitting that we pay tribute to him with a day of comradeship, conviviality and fund-raising in his honor; he will be forever in our hearts.

All the rides finish off a Sams Bar in Scholes with a buffet and music where further fund-raising activities take place. The cost to partake in the ride is a simple £10 donation/sponsorship per rider which is collected on the day – if over and above this people want to raise individual sponsorship they are free to do so and a sponsor form for each ride is available.

As a first this year a special T shirt, to wear all four rides, has been commissioned by Chris Joynt and this is available to purchase on the first ride which starts from the Heaton Bridge at Bescar at noon on Saturday the 4th of June.

The full bike ride dates for this summer are as follows

1. Saturday 4th of June: The Gerry Cooper Ride in aid of The Christie Hospital

2. Saturday the 2nd of July for the Steve Prescott Foundation

3. Saturday the 6th of August for Derian House Childrens Hospice

4. Sunday the 28th of August for the British Heart Foundation

Further information on the rides is on the Wigan Vets Facebook page or e-mail Malc Holland on Malcolm@nmsltd.co.uk