BRIGHTON OR BUST! - JON ELLIS FERNO (UK) MD HITS THE ROAD TO HELP YORKSHIRE AIR AMBULANCE

Jon, who heads the Bradford-based emergency equipment supplier, set off recently with 181 other cyclists on the 303-mile trek raising funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Huddersfield Town Football Club Academy as part of the Pedal 4 Pounds 2 “Keep It Up” campaign. The company also provided sponsorship for the event through the supply of two vans as support vehicles for the four day journey which went via Nottingham, Milton Keynes and Gatwick. In all, 168 cyclists completed the challenge over 3 ½ days. Ferno (UK) and the YAA already have very close ties, with Ferno making regular equipment donations to keep the air ambulance crews kitted out with the very latest products. To add to that ongoing support, Ferno is planning a year of fund-raising for YAA as the firm’s official charity partner. This coincides with the company also preparing to celebrate its 40th anniversary this year. Jon’s cycling feat will swell the charity’s coffers by over £4,000 alone and he has been commended for being the top individual fundraiser from the Knights of Yorkshire initiative where the Pedal 4 Pounds 2 is hoping to raise up to £250K from the overall cycling challenge. Jon said: “We did about four months training to prepare. It was a gruelling few days but it was also great fun and there was real camaraderie amongst the teams. I did the last 55 miles with a damaged Achilles tendon so I had to go to Brighton Hospital for advice at the end.” “Everyone has been extremely generous in supporting me,” he added. “But I don’t think I want to see my bike again for a while!” Anyone can keep up to date with other Ferno fund-raising via www.justgiving.com/ferno