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Annual Tour de Aky set to break £100,000 milestone

Wednesday, 16 July 2025 07:28

The Tour de Aky returns for a seventh year this weekend.

Cyclists will take to the roads of Yorkshire this Saturday (19th July) for the seventh annual Tour de Aky.

The event is a poignant ride held in memory of North Yorkshire Police Dog Handler PC 1066 Mick ‘Aky’ Atkinson, who sadly died by suicide in 2018.

The much-loved ride, organised by Aky’s close friend and serving North Yorkshire Police officer Sergeant Pierre Olesqui, is on track to surpass £100,000 in total fundraising since its launch, supporting mental health charities and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

This year’s ride will raise funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Andy’s Man Club, and York-based Menfulness, all of which work to support men’s mental health or provide life-saving support and services.

Around 90 riders are expected to take part in this year’s event, including current and former officers, Aky’s family and friends, and supporters from across the wider policing community.

Participants will ride 106.6 miles in honour of Aky’s collar number, 1066.

The route, starting and ending in Aky’s hometown of Leeds, will pass several locations that held meaning for him, including Elland Road, Headingley Stadium, and Fulford Road Police Station.

This year’s event will also honour other colleagues across all emergency services who have sadly died by suicide.

Now in its seventh year, the Tour de Aky has grown into a annual tradition, bringing people together to remember a much-missed friend and colleague, while encouraging conversations around achieving good mental health, and raising vital awareness and funds for mental health and emergency services.

Would you like to contribute to this year’s Tour de Aky? Visit the fundraising page here.

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