A team of colleges at Edwards in Clevedon will saddle up for a charity ride between Bristol and Cornwall - for the 11th consecutive year.

The North Somerset employer's 12 staff members are prepping for the Children's Hospice South West’s Ride for Precious Lives, which takes place from July 12-14.

They will join 90 cyclists in travelling 200 miles from Wraxall's Charlton Farm children's hospice to St Austell's Little Harbour children's hospice, stopping at Barnstaple's Little Bridge House enroute.

Edwards, a specialist in producing environmental systems to purify gases for microchip manufacturing, has a long-standing affiliation with CHSW, which began in 2010.

One of the significant Atlas Copco Group members, the company also supplies volunteers for events and other activities, including Charlton Farm’s ball pit cleaning.

Numerous Edwards staff utilise their company volunteering days to assist CHSW, while others partake in the charity’s fundraising events, such as Incredible Hike and Santas on the Run.

Edwards general manager, Neil Mehta, said: "CHSW is very close to our hearts and is very much part of the Edwards’ community.

"Our involvement with CHSW also helps us develop each of our pillars of staff wellbeing which are so important to us.

"From a personal perspective it's lovely to be involved in something where you can see the direct result of your efforts on the families which are supported by CHSW.

"Listening to the families share their stories is very personal and impactful and as a company, that’s what drives us."

(Image: CHSW)

CHSW corporate fundraiser, Amanda Gallagher, added: "The support from the team at Edwards has been, and continues to be, phenomenal.

"We are so grateful for their continued sponsorship of Ride for Precious Lives and their dedication to fundraising.

"Their support doesn’t end there.

"By volunteering at our hospice and lending a hand with our events, they are continuing to help us make the most of short and precious lives across the South West."

Apart from supporting CHSW, Edwards collaborates with local schools to offer work experience placements and supports initiatives like the Women In Science and Engineering (WISE) programme and the 10,000 Black Interns Programme.

The company also focuses on sustainability at its Clevedon base.

Along with harvesting rainwater for its processes and using solar energy, it has installed bird and bat boxes at its site and supports beach clean-ups.

Edwards also provides a cycle to work scheme and has electric bike and car charging points.