Olympic gold-medalist enjoys a pie!

He was joined by people from across the region, such as Corrie star Tupele Dorgu, and a team of Greater Manchester Police officers who included Chief Constable, Peter Fahy, in taking part in Bike Unite – a 37 mile bike ride from Manchester to Liverpool.

Also taking part was a team from Holland’s Pies, who also lent their support to the event by supplying hundreds of free pies to hungry cyclists at the end of the race.

Holland’s Pies, which produces the North West’s favourite pies and puddings, has a tradition of supporting charities, donating more than 3,500 pies every week to the homeless. 

Holland’s Managing Director, Neil Court-Johnston explains:

“Holland’s Pies is proud of its roots in the region. We’ve been established in the area for over one hundred and fifty years, and take our role in the community very seriously. We are always seeking to contribute positively towards it.

“Bike Unite was an amazing challenge which has raised lots of money for an extremely worthy cause, and we are very proud we were able to support it. To encourage our fans to join in we also offering a tour of our famous factory to anyone who raised over £100. If you did, very well done and please do get in touch!“  

Bike Unite took cyclists alongside the Bridgewater Canal and Trans-Pennine Way, reaching Liverpool via the Liverpool loop line cycle way. The challenge began at Salford Quays at The Lowry, and finished at Calderstones Park, one of Liverpool’s most attractive parks.

Money raised from the event will be split between Alder Hey Hospital, on Merseyside, and the new Manchester Children’s Hospital.  

Alder Hey’s fundraising campaign, Imagine, is a campaign to raise money to continue the hospital’s pioneering work in children’s healthcare, and to offer the very highest standards of care to young patients. Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust is the busiest children's hospital in Europe, treating around 250,000 children each year. The Trust has a world-class reputation for saving the lives of sick children.

The Manchester Children’s Hospital Appeal aims to raise £20-million to help fund projects within the city’s newest hospital, which opens this month on the site of the current Royal Infirmary. It will be the largest children’s hospital in the UK.  

“These two fundraising campaigns go to the very heart of the North West community and we are looking forward to raising as much money as we can to support them. We hope that other Holland’s fans will do the same,” said Neil Court-Johnston.

Photos (l-r): (1) Jenny Yates of the Manchester Children’s Hospital, Sue Bray of Alder Hey Hospital with Craig Spencer and Neil Court-Johnston of Holland's Pies.

(2) Coronation Street actress, Tupele Dorgu, Hermione Broxton of Holland’s Pies, GB Olympic gold medal cyclist Paul Manning , Craig Spencer, Neil Court-Johnston of Holland’s Pies.

(3) GMP Team, with Chief Constable Peter Fahy (3rd left)