Tour de Aky AED donation

Published On: November 17th, 2023

Tour de Aky

This week, Rob and Elliot had the privilege of meeting Inspector Holly Nicholls and acting Sergeant Pierre Olesqui of Knaresborough police station.

The purpose of the visit was to donate a defibrillator for the annual TOUR DE AKY bike ride, which was set up in memory of PC Mick ‘Aky’ Atkinson, who in 2018, sadly took his own life after a battle with his mental health.

Since his death, the TOUR DE AKY was formed and is now in its fifth year. The ride is 106.6 miles (Aky’s Police collar number) and the participants cycle past locations that had meaning to Mick, such as stations he worked at and sporting venues he loved. It is a non-competitive ride and the aim is to promote mental health and encourage people to talk, along with raising money for three charities Mind, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, and Andy’s Man Club.

“As the organizer of Tour De Aky, I would like to say a massive thank you to Training at Work Group. The donation of a defibrillator to the charity bike ride is massive – the event is a charity cycle ride in which we cycle 106.6 miles in memory of my best friend Mick ‘Aky’ Atkinson, who sadly took his own life in 2018. We have a wide range of ability of cyclists and having a defibrillator is a massive piece of mind. In the nicest way possible, I hope we never have to use it, but having it on hand enables people to ride safe in the knowledge that the best first aid is onhand if ever required, and that is priceless to us. As it will be kept in Knaresborough police station whilst we aren’t using it, I know the public of Knaresborough are grateful for the donation knowing it is hand in the town centre if ever required. It is generosity like this that makes tour de aky a successful event and I am forever grateful.” – Pierre

Marketing Manager Rob said: “I know the Atkinson family well, and really wanted to get involved however we could. At Training at Work Group, we are passionate about supporting causes within our local community. The bike ride is a fantastic celebration of Mick’s life, and the riders are truly inspirational – So inspirational that I’ve agreed to participate in 2024!”

 

You can read more about this fantastic cause, Here.

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