Leeds Rhinos Foundation would like to pay thanks to PC Pierre Olesqui, who presented a cheque for £12,350 to Chairman Bob Bowman at the Rhinos’ recent home game with Warrington Wolves on behalf of the ‘Tour de Aky’ team.
The Tour de Aky was a charity bike ride in memory of PC Mick Atkinson, who tragically died last year after taking his own life. Olesqui, who had served with Atkinson in the North Yorkshire Police, decided to set up the ‘Tour de Aky’ in his honour- a 106.6 mile bike ride from Scarborough Police Station to Emerald Headingley Stadium.
The distance chosen was in reference to Atkinson’s police collar number – PC1066 – and the ride raised money for two chosen charities, including Leeds Rhinos Foundation; the official charity of the club that he had avidly supported from a young age.
More than 80 cyclists completed the ride on Friday 14th June, braving the rain to pay memory to the late officer and help raise over £25,000 for the charities.
Thanking the team for their efforts, Bowman said: “The fundraising efforts made by Pierre and other close friends of Mick Atkinson have been truly remarkable! It was an honour and privilege to spend time with Pierre and his colleague sat the Rhinos’ final home game and we hope they enjoyed the hospitality.
“It was the least we could do to say thank you to the team for their fantastic fundraising efforts. £12,350 is a huge amount of money to raise and will greatly assist us with the work we do at the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, whilst also showing the great respect and admiration that people have for a much loved and missed Mick Atkinson.”
To find out more about the Tour de Aky, visit www.facebook.com/aky106.6cycle/.