Four EXCEED team members successfully endured the arduous ‘Ride the North’ cycle challenge, raising more than £2,000 in aid of Becky’s Foundation, an orphanage in Ghana.

The team from the Aberdeen-based well management and performance improvement specialists covered a distance of over 170 miles across two days at the end of August [28 & 29], starting in Inverness and venturing through the Grampian Highlands to finish up in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire.

Those donning Lycra and pedalling their way to the finish line were John Simpson, Martin Watt, Tim Wigham and Angela Wigham. Together they raised in excess of £2,300 for EXCEED's charity, the EXCEED Trust, with the proceeds for this project going specifically to Becky’s Foundation.

Ian Mills, director and founder of EXCEED, said: “We are incredibly proud of those who took part in the event. It was undoubtedly a tough challenge, but knowing where the money was going, and the life changing impact the funds would have on the children inspired all who took part.”

The EXCEED Trust is an official charity that supports various initiatives with a focus on promoting the wellbeing and security of children. It has been working with and supporting Becky’s Foundation since the children faced eviction at the end of 2014.

With initial fundraising efforts focused on supporting the building of a new orphanage which is currently nearing completion, the proceeds from this fundraising event will be used to install a filtration system to a newly drilled water well, and further matched donations from the Foundation have enabled the purchase of a minivan to drive the younger children to and from school and hospital appointments, a 2-mile journey they would previously have been walked.

Seth Asiedu, Executive Director of Becky’s Foundation, said: “The support from EXCEED has been enormous. The new building will give the kids a sound mind to study, security, hope, good health, and a sense of love. The children will never forget this and your help will elevate the kids from a state of no hope to becoming good citizens.”

With the latest fundraising efforts, the new orphanage will be equipped with proper sanitation, clean drinking water, transport and mosquito nets. Everything will be in place for the children to live comfortably and healthily in their new home.”

This additional fundraising follows a successful ceilidh organised by EXCEED earlier this the year, which raised more than £5,000. In total EXCEED has pledged in excess of £60,000 towards the building of the new orphanage.