Chess’ Founder and Chairman David Pollock to take on extraordinary cycling challenge through the Alps to raise funds for Cure Parkinson’s

On Monday 4 July, David Pollock and a team of incredible fundraisers will set off from the shores of Lake Geneva to take on the historic Raid Alpine cycle challenge. This gruelling physical and mental test will see the team covering 770km through some of the most feared Alpine roads, and 18,000m of vertical ascent – more than twice the height of Mount Everest - all in just six days. The team are taking on this challenge to raise funds for Cure Parkinson’s and support the charity’s search for a cure.

The team of 22 will face relentlessly steep climbs and undulating roads, including the infamous Tour de France classics Col de l’Iseran and the Cime de la Bonette.

David decided to take on this challenge in support of his good friend Simon Bland, who lives with Parkinson’s and is also taking on the Cure Parkinson’s Raid Alpine. David said:

“I wanted to support my great friend Simon who was diagnosed five years ago. He said he was going to do it, we all said you're mad, but he insisted. Couldn't let him do it on his own so here I am!"

David is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Chess ICT, one of the UK’s leading independent and trusted technology service providers, employing over 360 people across the UK and supporting over 30,000 business customers. David, who named the company after his two eldest children, Jess and Charlie, has received a number of accolades throughout his career, including Institute of Directors 'Cheshire Director of the Year' 2009, and seeing Chess top The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For list in 2018. David was made Deputy Lieutenant of Cheshire in 2012, and received an Honorary Doctorate of Business from University of Chester in May 2022.

David enjoys taking on physical challenges whilst raising money for charity. In 2008 he led a team that won the Prince's Trust Costa Rica Challenge, and in 2009 his team came 2nd out of 42 teams in the Prince's Trust Wild UK Challenge. In 2011 and 2012 his team won The Prince's Trust Mersey to Tyne Bike Challenge. In 2012 he summited Mont Blanc and Kilimanjaro in 2013. While David is no stranger to a challenge, he admits this will not be an easy feat. He added:

“I have done quite a few bike challenges before, but at 62 this is going to be a big ask.”

This much-awaited event is finally able to take place in 2022, following cancellations in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. Cure Parkinson’s is incredibly grateful to David and the team for taking on this gruelling challenge to raise funds and awareness for urgently needed research into a cure for Parkinson’s.

David is generously supported in this challenge by the following Partners: Gamma, Invosys, Talk Talk Business, Delinea and Sage.

To support David and Simon in taking on this epic challenge, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/simon-bland7