Team Falcon successfully tackle Cyclone challenges.
Members of the Newcastle Falcons back room and office teams got into the saddle on Saturday as they took part in the annual Cyclone Festival of Cycling, in support of the Newcastle Rugby Foundation.
An almost 70 rider strong “Team Falcon” was led through the rolling hills, valleys and moorland fringes of Northumberland by chairman Semore Kurdi, director of rugby Dean Richards, head of foundation and marketing Melanie Magee, managing director Mick Hogan and as they rode to raise funds in support of the Foundation and its work in the community.
Leading a charge around the 64 mile course, Richards was joined by analyst Matt Hodkinson, head of strength and conditioning Kev McShane, scrum coach Micky Ward, attack coach Dave Walder, team manager John Stokoe, academy manager Mark Laycock and head coach John Wells.
Around the 34 mile challenge, Hogan and Magee were joined by Foundation trustee Sunil Mehra and partnerships manager Amy Kirsopp, with all riders successfully negotiating their chosen challenge.
Running for the eleventh time in 2017, the Cyclone Challenge offers four separate courses to cyclists of all abilities and ages, all starting from Kingston Park Stadium with this the first year the club has entered a field of riders.
And after a successful day saw all Team Falcons riders complete their chosen distance, Newcastle Rugby’s Kurdi congratulated everyone taking part.
He said: “I’d like to congratulate everyone who took part in the Cyclone festival and on completing the challenges and offer a special thanks to everyone who rode in support of the Newcastle Rugby Foundation.
“It was great to have so many people taking part in support of the work that Mel and the team do in the community and raising funds, whilst taking part in an excellent event.”
Since its inception, participant numbers have quadrupled, over £2M has been raised for various charities and an estimated £1.5m per year generated for the local economy.
Those riding on behalf of the Foundation have currently raised over £2,500 which will assist in its goals to educate, motivate and inspire through the power of sport.
If you would like to show your support in any small way, donations are welcomed by [**clicking here**][1].
**Team Falcons
Cyclone Festival of Cycling Challenge
Saturday 17th June**
Semore Kurdi, Dean Richards, Melanie Magee, Mick Hogan, Micky Ward, Dave Walder, John Wells, Mark Laycock, Jimmy Ponton, Annie Anderson, Sally Anderson, Tim Anderson, Lindsay Aspden, Amy Aspden, Michael Bremner, Peter James Butler, Shabin Chohan, Mark Dobbin, Nick Doggett, Harvey Emms, Peter Forster, Mark Greenwell, Joseph Greenwell, Andrew Greenwood, Janet Greenwood, Rob Harris, Jamie Harris, Matthew Heaton, David Hill, Innes Hill, Matthew Hodkinson, Mark Jackson, Amy Kirsopp, Toni Kurdi, Zena Kurdi-Nowlin, Kevin Laing, John Lee, Joe Logan, Jamie Longstaff, Alistair Macpherson, Phil Maguire, Aiden McNulty, Orlaith McNulty, Kevin McShane, Sunil Mehra, Stephen Miller, Mark Nixon, Mark Nye, Laura Peace, Angela Ponton, Simon Pope, Steven Rogers, Stephen Savage, Rachel Scurfield, Dean Shipley, Becky Stewart, John Stokoe, Helen Sutherland, Paul Thapar, Karl Unger, Helena Walsater, Liam Watson, Carole Weatherley.
[1]: https://mydonate.bt.com/events/cyclonechallenge/437464
