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16

Jul 2021

Last Updated: 16/07/2021
Community
Community

Knaresborough police officer to ride 106.6 miles in memory of best friend

by Suzannah Rogerson

| 16 Jul, 2021
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A Knaresborough police officer is setting off on his annual fundraiser in memory of his best friend this weekend. Pierre Olesqui will ride 106.6 miles to raise money for three charities.

tour-de-aky
Pierre Olesqui (left) during a previous ride and (right) Mick 'Aky' Atkinson during his time as a police dog handler.

Local police officer Pierre Olesqui will take on his third annual fundraising challenge this weekend to raise awareness of mental health in memory of his best friend.

Mr Olesqui's best friend Mick 'Aky' Atkinson died in October 2018 after suffering with his mental health.

Aky, an active, "proud Leeds man", did not tell his friend that he was struggling. Mr Olesqui uses the challenge to encourage people to talk about their own battles.

Tomorrow, Mr Olesqui will set off from Hunslet Warriors rugby club, where Aky used to coach, alongside 98 other riders to complete the Tour de Aky challenge.



The 106.6-mile route heads towards Leeds, past Elland Road - Aky called the stadium "his church" - on to Otley and through the Harrogate district to Kirkby Overblow, before heading back to York and Hunslet.

The distance is a reference to Aky's collar number: 1066.

Over the past two years just under £40,000 has been raised, but this year Mr Olesqui hopes to reach £50,000.

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The pair started working together in 2001 for North Yorkshire Police, where Aky was a dog handler, and bonded over their love of sport - Aky was even Mr Olesqui's best man.

Mr Olesqui, who works in Knaresborough, said:

"He was my best friend and I want to keep his memory alive. I want to raise awareness for mental health, especially for men it's a secret battle like Aky.
"It's incredible how many people will come on the ride and tell us their own struggles. It's great to talk and we all understand. It's nothing to be ashamed of."


The money raised from this weekend's cycle will go towards Mind, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Macmillan Cancer Support. These have been chosen by Mr Olesqui and Aky's family.