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Two entrepreneurial associate members of the IMechE have just launched an extraordinary event that will showcase the best of British engineering, unite members around the globe and, most important of all, raise money for charities.
The event, Small Wheels, Big Difference, is raising £50,000 for Hospice in the Weald, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Help for Heroes by cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats on fold-up Brompton bikes between 16 and 30 June. It is the brainchild of the IMechE’s Undergraduate Visionary, Phil Deakin, and his friend Harry Bullivant, a fellow institution award-winner.
Bullivant explained the genesis of the event: “Last summer, Phil saw first-hand the amazing work of his girlfriend’s local hospice, and after discussions with friends we came up with this simple concept for a fundraising event. Land’s End to John O’Groats inspired us as a classic route and Bromptons were the best bikes to use for many reasons.
“As IMechE members, we are proud to be using the Bromptons – a product we admire – given that the company’s chief executive and head of design are both members of the institution.
“Phil and I really enjoy riding the bikes as they are designed with the user in mind, built to last and wonderfully reliable. There’s also a great sense of community among Brompton riders. We’re keen to engage people who might not think of riding longer distances on any bike and show that on Bromptons it can be good fun, and a great way to get out and see the country.
“Plus, what better way to have a lot of fun in the name of good causes than on a great example of British engineering?”
For Phil Deakin as an IMechE Visionary, the event offers a great opportunity to raise the profile of engineering to a wider community and get people talking about what engineers can do. He said: “Small Wheels, Big Difference has so much potential to inspire people of all ages, engineers or otherwise.
“It’s important to raise money for three wonderful charities in a way that involves everyone, from the cyclist keen to challenge themselves and try out a Brompton to the Twitter user in Australia who can follow our progress and share their thoughts.
“Also, in a world so often dominated by the job you do and the career you take, it’s good to show people that engineers aren’t afraid to do things a bit differently in their time off.”
So, how can people support Small Wheels, Big Difference? Deakin said: “Whether you’ve never had the confidence to do a long bike ride before, have always wanted to do Land’s End to John O’Groats, or just want to have a go on a little bike for a day, you can feel involved in our event.
“Suggestions for accommodation, loaning a Brompton, or offers to be a support driver for a day – bit by bit, the more people who become involved, the more likely we are to achieve our goal for these amazing charities. As well as their generous donations, people simply signing up to our monthly newsletter and following us on Twitter or Facebook reassures us that we have enormous support for what we’re doing.
“We’re very conscious that we can achieve so much more for these charities by inspiring others. That’s what drives us on, and that’s how we will reach the target of £50,000.”