On yer bike! Woodlanders support Somerset Air Ambulance

Land’s End to John O’Groats in a day! That’s what the Woodlanders-sponsored Russell Covill of Beckington achieved to raise money for the Somerset Air Ambulance and Dorothy House Hospice.

Following Russ’s monumental ride in June, Woodlanders presented him with a cheque for £1,000 in tribute to his father, the late David Covill.

Landscape gardener Russ said, “I wanted to do something to raise money for the air ambulance in memory of my dad and for Dorothy House in memory of my father –in-law, David Bevan, who died last September. When dad had his heart attack, the air ambulance was on the scene in no time. Although it was sadly too late for him, I know they do tremendous work saving lives around the county.”

Russ undertook the motorcycle marathon on Fathers’ Day – 21st June. He set off from Land’s End  on his prized BMW K1200S at half past midnight and arrived at his destination – John O’Groats – 857 miles and 18 ½ hours later.

“It was a tremendous experience,” said Russ. “My favourite bit was riding through Scotland – such fantastic scenery – despite the weather turning wet, and my satnav managing to get me lost in Edinburgh!

“The journey back was a bit more sedate. I took a couple of days to tour down Scotland’s West Coast. And, no, I didn’t get any speeding tickets!”

Woodlanders’ chairman Sandra Gaisford, who presented the cheque said, “We usually try and support a range of good causes in the Frome area but we invited Dave’s wife, Yvonne, to choose what to support this year as a tribute to the hard work Dave had put in over many years with the company. We are pleased that she chose these two charities that do so much good work locally”

Russ’s mum, Yvonne Covill added, “I am delighted that the Woodlanders allowed me to choose the charities to support in David’s memory.”

The Woodlanders, formed in 1977, is Somerset’s longest-running music hall. They put on an annual Music Hall show every autumn. The show is staged in the East Woodlands Hippodrome (the village hall) and raises money for local charities.

David Covill appeared in the Woodlanders for 25 years and was Chairman, from 1998 to 2014.

In 2014 they gave £4,000 to 18 local charities.

To date they have raised over £100,000 for local good causes.

Dates for the 2015 show are 12th-17th October.