Bike ride Down Under raises £30k for charity

Stuart Bayne, a sales manager for NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, cycled 2,108km (1,309 miles) through New Zealand in aid of the Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA).

On his journey from Bluff at the southern tip of New Zealand’s South Island to Cape Reinga, the northern-most part of the country, Stuart climbed more than 14,000 metres.

He had to alter his route after two simultaneous major earthquakes struck north of Christchurch, closing a number of the roads he was planning to travel on.

But his efforts were rewarded with £23,661.74 being raised for the DSA in the UK and a further £6,689.70 for the DSA in New Zealand.

Father-of-three Stuart, aged 53, said he is grateful for the support he has received, not only from his major sponsors NGK UK and NGK Europe and Australia, but also from many of the company’s customers in all industry sectors.

Stuart said: “I have been overwhelmed by the level of support I have received from everyone and would like to thank all those who have donated to the DSA.”

Automotive director of NGK Spark Plugs UK, Marko Wowczyna, said: “On behalf of everyone at NGK I would like to thank all our customers who have supported Stuart.

“We have been raising funds for the DSA at various events all over the country and have received fantastic backing.”