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Battery Powered Pudsey
It all started over a beer at a conference in Oswestry, Shropshire. For the last four years, the organisers of the NiBS (Nothern Industrial Battery Services) battery conference, have raised money for Children in Need. Someone came up with the bright idea of a relay bike ride. Assemble a team of keen (and not so keen) cyclists to bring Pudsey and his friend Blush down from Shropshire to Clevedon during the summer and for a different team to ride him back in November in time for the 2016 conference. And so the idea was born.
The NiBS cycling team of Chris Gilliard, Rob McGill, Dan Hinton, Gareth Dart and Simon Jones successfully completed the 138 mile cycle ride for Pudsey, BBC Children in Need, from NiBS, Four Crosses, Powys to PB Design, Clevedon, Somerset. The ride was done over 2 days, starting on the 18th and concluding on the 19th of September 2016. The support team included Sarah Jones, Ellen Hughes and Julie Gilliard. Pudsey and Blush were handed over to team PB Design for the return journey in November.
A team of 6 from PB Design were assembled, quickly followed by two more team members. On the 7th of November, Mark Crocker, Tim Broomfield, Dave Cryer, Leigh Horton, Andy Churchill, Radoslaw Kochanczyk, Lewis Fossard and Jamie Peacock set out from the PB Design factory at Hither Green, Clevedon. With 83 miles to go on the first day and only 9 hours of daylight it was a tough challenge. For many, the most they had ridden was 50 miles in a single day, and we still had another 50 miles the following day let alone the first stretch. There wasn’t much time to stop, but Mike Provis in our support vehicle ensured we were fed and watered along the way.
The team made it to Ludlow, via the Severn Bridge and Monmouth just after dark. The next morning, the frost was biting hard. How would those aching limbs cope with another 50 miles in freezing temperatures? A welcome pit stop with bacon sandwiches made for a welcome break. By lunchtime the team made it to the finish line to bring Pudsey and Blush back home. 132 miles completed in near freezing temperatures!
Both teams raised over £6,000 between them for Children in Need, with more money raised over the 2 day conference. “This was a great achievement by a dedicated group of individuals, despite some team members being under the weather and feeling aches and pains after a few hours on the saddle. At PB Design, we are committed to giving something back to the community, supporting both national and local charities.” added Mark Crocker, MD.
Since its foundation in 1979, PB Design has worked ceaselessly to develop and bring to the market a full range of battery chargers, UPS, batteries and system services for all types of AC and DC standby applications. We provide innovative, cost effective solutions. Our priority is customer service and satisfaction, plain and simple.
Based in Clevedon, North Somerset, England, we are an Employee Owned business with 50 “co-owners” or partners, our capability runs from design through production, testing, installation, commissioning and maintenance. Either standard or custom built products, designed to meet customer or industry specific needs, can be supplied. Our commitment to customer care is reflected in an enviable level of repeat business from an ever-expanding customer base, including many "blue chip" organisations. Our products are in service throughout Europe, Africa, the Middle and Far East and are used in every sort of business activity, from electricity supply and distribution, to ships, oil rigs, railways, metros, airports and leisure facilities.
Team NiBS make it to Clevedon to handover Pudsey and Blush to Team PB
Team PB assemble at the start line in Clevedon
132 miles and two days later, the team make it to the finish line at Oswestry
