Widnes players get on their bikes!

Vikings to do Charity Bike Ride between Manchester and Blackpool

In their continuing attempts to deliver the best practices, the Vikings' first team coaching staff is leaving no stone unturned in their quest to ensure the players are in tip-top condition.

To further prove this, back in March, Mick Cassidy issued a request for help via his Twitter account. The Vikings' Assistant Coach and keen cyclist was hopeful there would be someone kind enough to come to his aid and donate enough bikes for him to get the wheels in motion on his latest training related idea.

Within hours, Jackie Peck an avid Vikings fan and volunteer at Widnes based organisation, Kingsway Bike Project had left him a message alerting him they would be only too happy to help out.

Kingsway Bike Project opened its doors to the public on 24th June 2007 with former Vikings player Paul Noone having the honour of cutting the red ribbon at the official launch event. They are a voluntary community group that repairs and recycles bicycles. They also provide free training and aim to improve the skills of the local community and beyond by increasing the number of bikes that people have access to whilst also helping them to become more active and live a healthier lifestyle.

As Jackie explains, this isn't the first time Kingsway Bike Project has had an involvement with the club; "In the past the club has always been very supportive and helped out at many of the events we have held, but this is the first working partnership we have had with them.

"We hope to be involved for the foreseeable future and we want to expand and develop stronger links. When funds allow, we also aim to sponsor a player. Joining forces with the club offers us a fantastic opportunity to promote ourselves as well as the Vikings.”

According to Mick Cassidy, the road to recovery for an injured player can be lonely at times, so the cycle idea seemed a perfect fit for the players to inspire their recovery;

"The suggestion came to fruition thanks to the power of Twitter and the help of our loyal supporters who follow the club via this social network.

"Jackie and the Kingsway Bike Project tweeted they would like to help us with our dilemma and after a brief visit to their base by the coaching staff the partnership was born.

"We can't thank Jackie and her colleagues enough, the bikes are brilliant and they will certainly help with the rehabilitation of our injured players.

"The lads in question; Thomas Coyle, Ben Kavanagh and Anthony Watts along with the coaching staff will be taking part in the Tower to Tower bike ride from Blackpool to Manchester for the Challenge 4 Change charity. We will also be looking to do other fund raising events on the bikes to help other local charities.”

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