George Dickson

4:00pm - 7:00pm

Email the studio

Dexys Midnight Runners

Come On Eileen

Listen Live

Your Harrogate backs return of Tour de Aky in memory of police officer

Friday, 2 February 2024 09:00

Your Harrogate is sponsoring the shirts for the Tour de Aky 2024, an event held annually in memory of PC Mick 'Aky' Atkinson.

Your Harrogate backs return of Tour de Aky in memory of police officer Your Harrogate is proud to be supporting the annual Tour de Aky charity event when it returns later this year. The event was launched in 2019 by PC Pierre Olesqui in memory of his best friend and police colleague PC Mick ‘Aky’ Atkinson. Mick sadly took his own life in 2018 following struggles with his mental health. Pierre has been organising the Tour de Aky every year since, travelling 106.6 miles as a nod to Aky’s collar number. The event has raised more than £76,000 for various charities. And this year, Your Harrogate is proud to be sponsoring the shirts that participants will be wearing for the event on 13th July. [caption id="attachment_71618" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Tour de Aky in 2023.[/caption] The Tour de Aky 2024 will be again be fundraising for MIND, Andy’s Man Club and Yorkshire Air Ambulance after raising more than £10,000 for the charities in 2023. Pierre told Your Harrogate:

“Aky was a police dog handler and a massive personality. I just wanted to remember and honour him. “We go to locations that had importance to him. This year includes Elland Road - he was a massive Leeds fan - Headingley Stadium, his school, family home and police stations he worked at.”

The route will start in Woodlesford, the village where Aky grew up, and includes a visit to Your Harrogate’s studio before moving on to York Police Station. Pierre added:

“Your Harrogate has been absolutely fantastic so I’ll be so proud to have them on my shirt this year. “The basis of it is about mental health and talking. If you’re on a bike for eight hours, I challenge anyone to not talk! “The slogan ‘it’s okay to not be okay’ but the ride is only successful because of the support we’ve received.”

If you’d like to support the Tour de Aky 2024, donate via the GoFundMe page or find out more on Facebook here. Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.

More from Local News

Ripon Races to round off season with beer festival

Ripon Racecourse will close its 2026 season this Saturday (26th September) with an afternoon of racing, beer and live music.
Harrogate volunteers give 180 hours to town centre clean-up

Volunteers have given 180 hours of their time to help spruce up Harrogate during four days of community action.
Harrogate women's friendship group celebrates first birthday

A group helping women make new friends in Harrogate has celebrated its first birthday after growing to more than 1,500 members.
North Yorkshire Police to use live facial recognition for first time

North Yorkshire Police will use live facial recognition technology for the first time this week.
Killinghall man given suspended sentence after strangling partner

A Killinghall man who repeatedly assaulted his partner has been given a suspended prison sentence and a 15-year restraining order.
Former Harrogate metal works site to be transformed into new homes

The first images of eight new townhouses being built on a former metal works site in Harrogate have been released.
Harrogate football clubs urged to apply for £20,000 equipment funding

Grassroots football clubs in Harrogate are being urged to apply for equipment vouchers through a new £20,000 fund.
Ripon teen who survived stroke raises £1,000 for hospital

A Ripon Grammar School student who had to learn to walk and talk again following a devastating stroke has completed his first half marathon.
Work begins on £5.8million Fountains Abbey project

Construction has officially started on a £5.8million project to improve visitor facilities at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.
Harrogate Town runners complete Great North Run for Community Foundation

Six runners have completed the Great North Run to raise money for Harrogate Town AFC Community Foundation.
National recognition for Harrogate's MAN v FAT programme

A football-based weight loss programme run by Harrogate Town AFC Community Foundation has received national recognition after its members collectively lost 1,243kg.
Council chiefs back school transport policy despite "legacy of harm" claim

North Yorkshire Council chiefs have rejected calls to scrap an unpopular school transport policy, telling opposition councillors they would make the same decision if they were responsible for the authority’s finances.
Second home owners challenge North Yorkshire's 100% council tax premium

Councillors are set to debate calls for North Yorkshire Council to suspend its controversial second home council tax premium after a petition attracted 1,000 signatures.
X Factor legend set to perform at Bilton Club

X Factor favourite Chico is set to perform live at Bilton Club next year.
Harrogate's Sporting Influence Foundation to tackle 24 climbs in 24 hours

A Harrogate-based Community Interest Company is taking on a gruelling 24-hour challenge at one of North Yorkshire's most recognisable landmarks to raise money for children and families.
Giant vegetables take centre stage at Harrogate Autumn Flower Show

The biggest vegetables in the region have been revealed at the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show, which opened today (Friday 18 September) at Newby Hall & Gardens near Ripon.
Alpamare waterpark to be sold to 'protect its future' with private investment

A major waterpark in North Yorkshire is expected to be sold to a new owner after it was taken over by North Yorkshire Council.
Roadworks causing growing disruption in Harrogate and Knaresborough, officials admit

Council officials have acknowledged the growing disruption caused by roadworks in Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Yorkshire artist brings Harrogate's Old Market Hall back to life

Harrogate's former Old Market Hall has been brought back to life in a new collection by award-winning Yorkshire artist Claire Baxter.
Martin House hosts first children's palliative care conference

More than 70 healthcare professionals attended Martin House Children’s Hospice’s first dedicated children’s palliative care conference this week.