And the challenge has begun....
As you may have heard I set myself the challenge of cycling around all the Countrywide stores between 30th April and 11th May 2012. This is a total of 1125 miles and I am pleased to announce that John Hardman, the Chief Executive of Countrywide is joining me for at least half of the tour!
I started from Countrywide's Head Office at Evesham and will go as far afield as Melton Mowbray, Wrexham, Carmarthen, Exeter and Chertsey and all the 42 other stores in between before heading back to Evesham.
All of the money raised will be donated to the Riding for the Disabled Association who work mainly with people with physical disabilities. RDA groups now work across the spectrum of disabilities, age range, social status and urban and rural environments. The focus of their work is to ensure that each individual has the chance to derive a direct therapeutic benefit
and the opportunity to achieve their personal goal. Read more at www.rda.org.uk.
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RDA Stores Tour Update
 | Charles Delf & John Hardman start the RDA Stores Tour Challenge from the Countrywide Head Offices in Evesham | |
 | On this wet and windy day Charles & John start their cycle ride at 8.30 at Bromsgrove and visit Bearley, Nuneaton, Stockton, Preston Capes and Towcester covering 99miles. They also pop in to the RDA head office en route. | |
 | Ed Bracher from the RDA join Charles & John for a leg of their cycle challenge. | |
 | John Hardman at Welland Valley Feeds on the Stores Tour | |
 | Charles Delf & John Hardman are greeted by the RDA at Melton Mowbray | |
 | Charles Delf with the RDA at Honiton | |
 | Charles Delf arriving at Countrywide Honiton | |
 | Charles Delf leaving Honiton and heading for Crewkerne | |
 | Charles Delf receives a warm welcome after arriving at Crewkerne | |
 | Charles Delf visits our Amesbury Offices | |
 | Charles Delf celebrates with a special RDA Stores Tour cake at Liphook store | |
 | Charles visits H&C Pearce in Thame | |
The Route
The Idea
The idea for the tour came while sitting on my bike. I felt that I could use it to contribute something to the staff charity. I thought about cycling from Lands’ End to John O’Groats which is 874 miles but everyone does that.
Instead I thought that as a way of tying the ride in with Countrywide I would look to cycle around all of our Country Stores. This tour would include all of the stores via the shortest route; the total distance is around 1125 miles.
My initial target for the money to be raised would be £25,000 – this may be unachievable but one can hope. So this has become the challenge.
Charles' Profile
Age - Mid 40s
Role - National Alternative Feeds Manager
Career History
I started with Hanford in the 1980s as a grain trader and worked there from 1987 to 1989. I then went to KW Alternative Feeds from 1989 to 2003 as an Alternative Feeds Trader before becoming the Southern Alternative Feeds Manager. In 2003 I left to join Countrywide and am now the National Alternative Feeds Manager.
Hobbies & Interests
I really enjoy the outside life, and the rural community is part of my social calendar where I regulary go shooting and fishing. This is a great time to meet farmers and share advice on rural matters.
With my career I spend a lot of time at my desk on the phone or travelling and this inactive role has its challenges on the waist line. Therefore, 18 months ago I decided to get fit and shed a few pounds by cycling round the country lanes. I ended up losing 2.5 stone and then had an idea to set myself a new challenge through my love of cycling!
