Mountain of a fundraising challenge

WILLIAM WOODWORTH

Local cyclists are banding together in support of local emergency services by undertaking an uphill challenge of epic proportions.

Nat Sutton, Brent Ackroyd, Sophie Batt, Dylan Hodson and Mike Sheard are raising funds for the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust.

The group is climbing the height of Mt Everest on exercycles. With a 5am start time and 20 hours of pedalling expected without sleep, the team is in for the long haul. To measure virtually climbing 8848m, riders use an app called Zwift.

“The rescue chopper approached us for fresh ideas”, says Brent. “We wanted a challenge to properly earn the funds we raise through effort, so settled on the vEverest challenge.”

“We’re using the Alpe du Zwift course, based on the Tour de France’s famous Alpe d’Huez”, expands Nat.

“The Alpe du Zwift’s a really hard climb once, so doing it eight and a half times back-to-back is mas-