spanner Part Finder

Marathon bike ride succeeds

Two determined NGK employees have braved the summer heatwave to complete a gruelling near 425-mile cycling marathon to raise funds for charity.

Marko Wowczyna and Stuart Bayne undertook the challenge to raise more than £13,500 for the National Autistic Society and the Downs Syndrome Association respectively.

Setting off from south London to Dover, they crossed the Channel and then cycled into Paris down the Champs Elysee, the day before the Tour De France arrived in the French capital.

After a quick celebration under the Eiffel Tower, they then crossed Paris to catch the Eurostar to return to London in time to compete in the London Ride 100 the following day, a combined distance of just under 425 miles.

Marko Wowczyna, Director – Automotive, NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, said: “It was very tough on the bikes because of the extreme heat. Stuart and I were riding in temperatures approaching 40 degrees Centigrade in open countryside in France, but fortunately we managed to achieve our goal relatively unscathed.

“We would both like to thank NGK and the customers and friends who have donated to our two charities.”

Earlier this year, Stuart, who is Sales Manager – North for NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, took part in the London Marathon, his fourth charity money-making endeavour for the DSA, having previously raised funds by taking part in last year’s London 100 Cycle ride as well as completing sponsored rides in Europe and New Zealand.

slashes Notes to Editors

About NGK SPARK PLUG: Worldwide: NGK Spark Plug is one of the leading automotive and technical ceramics suppliers, with its corporate headquarters in Nagoya, Japan and sales organisations and production facilities all over the world. The automotive side of the company specialises in the fields of ignition and sensor technology, supplying Original Equipment and Aftermarket customers across the globe. Its product portfolio for the Aftermarket comprises spark plugs, glow plugs, ignition coils and leads under the NGK Ignition Parts brand, whilst oxygen and temperature sensors, NOx sensors, mass air flow (MAF) and manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensors operate under the brand NTK Vehicle Electronics. With more than 14,500 employees, the company’s automotive and technical ceramics activities generate a total annual turnover of around 3.1 billion Euros worldwide. NGK Spark Plug is represented on all continents and has 41 group companies, 24 production plants and five technical centres. NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd is a leading supplier of original equipment (OE) spark plugs, glow plugs and NTK Lambda and other engine management sensors, plus ignition coils, to the independent UK automotive aftermarket.

For further information contact:

Andy Hurst

Hurst Media Services

Tel: +44 (0)1354 656555; Mobile: 0773 694 7803

Email: andyh.stonecross@btinternet.com

Contact