Staff use pedal power to encourage children to exercise

Apr 16 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

BARRATT Newcastle graduate recruits Becky White and Kate Lister swapped hard hats for cycle helmets to raise much-needed funds for a school sports awareness day.

The girls got on their bikes to tackle the 140-mile ‘Coast to Coast’ ride from Workington to Tynemouth and completed the challenge in three days to raise money for the event at St Mary’s and St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School at Blaydon.

“As part of the Barratt graduate training programme we are encouraged to get involved in a voluntary event,” said Kate. “We were aware of the Government initiative to improve sporting activities in North East schools, so we thought we’d do something to support it. We spoke with the school and they agreed to hold a sports awareness day for the pupils, provided we could fund it.”

Becky and Kate, completed the ride with other Barratt Homes staff Suzie Chandler and John Flynn.