Kev Barnes, UK Field Services Manager, has worked at Traka for over 15 years, has set himself the challenge of raising £1,100, a pound for every mile cycled in aid of Cure CJD, which supports clinical studies to investigate possible treatments for CJD and related Prion diseases.

The plan, set out over a 15-day period will see him cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats from 2 June and finish on 16 June. It is supported by close friends of Kev, Steve, Craig, and Lee Newell who all work for Traka, and in memory of Craig & Lee’s mum Ruth, who recently passed from the disease.

“This is an enormous challenge, but one I am very excited to complete in memory of Ruth. I will have my 60^th ‘coming of age’ just before departure from Land’s End and feel obliged not to waste my good fortune for health and fitness. Though I may wish I had taken on this challenge 20 years ago by the time we reach John O’Groats!", says Barnes.

“At present, the only treatment for CJD involves trying to keep the person as comfortable as possible and reducing symptoms with medicines. Every penny raised will help scientists and doctors with University College London Hospitals Charity UK one step closer to finding a cure and treatment.”

Steve Newell was one of the first team members to join Traka in 1999. Ruth joined the Traka family in 2000 and used to make the renowned iFobs by hand, an integral part of the key management solutions.

Lee Newell, Mechanical Design Engineer at Traka, said: “We have known Kev all our lives, both personally and through the Traka family. We are so grateful for him for taking on this challenge and raising such significant funds and know mum would have been immensely proud.”

Craig Newell, VP Strategic Business Development at Traka Americas, added: “As a hereditary disease with a 50/50 chance of passing on the gene, this is a cause very close to our hearts. Our family is humbled by Kev’s own huge heart and generosity”.

“It means so much to us that Kev is doing this for Prion. We can already see the donations pouring in, for which we are so thankful. We have no doubt that he will reach his target and smash the challenge at the same time,” concluded Steve Newell, Factory Manager at Traka.