RAM Helps Keep Meningitis Cyclists on Track

LEEDS, England, July 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Four cyclists from Leeds have successfully completed their marathon charity ride from the champagne bar Epernay in Leeds city centre to the French town of Epernay with the help of a generous donation from Remote Asset Management (RAM).

Leeds-based vehicle tracking company RAM donated its award winning technology to the team of ambitious fundraisers.

The 7 day, 500 mile epic challenge to raise £2000 for Meningitis UK was the team's first. Commenting on their endeavours Tom Hepworth, Epernay Leeds general manager said: "We have talked about doing something like this for a long time and it looks like all the planning paid off. Apart from a couple of punctures and a broken spoke, the bikes performed well and we've all coped extremely well too with the long hours in the saddle - having lots of supporters following us and tracking our progress really kept us motivated when we were tired."

Tom along with Adi Zaimi of Brio Pizza at Thorpe Park lead the team of cyclists and support crew from Leeds city centre down through the Midlands to Newhaven. They then caught the ferry to Dieppe before setting off again to Epernay, in North East France.

Leaving from Epernay in Great George Street, Leeds at 6.00am on Tuesday 28^th June, the team, comprising friends and colleagues from the bar and restaurant, arrived in Epernay town just after 1.00pm on Monday 4^th July.

"I am absolutely delighted for Tom and the team not only for completing their challenge but for meeting their fundraising target too," commented Chris. "Our tracking technology is usually used for fleet vehicle management but it also enables supporters following charity activities such as this to feel really involved by being able to see exactly where the cyclists are on their route.

"We have had some fantastic feedback about the difference it makes, not only in terms of boosting the numbers of supporters but donations too - and after all that's what it's all about."    

RAM's vehicle tracking system, fitted to the race team's support vehicle, provided live gps positioning data that could be viewed on the http://www.epernaychampagnebars.com  and  http://thorpepark.brios.co.uk websites.

Notes to Editors

• Award-winning industry leader, RAM has over 3,000 clients across the UK and has fitted more than 20,000 vehicle tracking devices since it was founded in 2004
• Meningitis UK has a single focus - to find a vaccine to protect against all forms of meningitis and associated diseases http://www.meningitisuk.org/
• Every week, six families have to face the sudden tragedy of losing a loved one to this devastating disease
• Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine campaign aims to raise £7million to help fund cutting-edge research to find a preventative vaccine and save thousands of lives in the future
• Champagne and cocktail bar, Epernay Leeds opened in 2005 and is situated at 12 Great George Street, Leeds
• Brio Pizza opened in May 2009 and is at 4600 Century Way, Thorpe Park Industrial Estate, Leeds.

Press Contact: Katie Galvin: Katie@prthatworks.com, +44(0)1132424362