ICP Networks have given an exclusive interview to Manchester City ahead of this weekend’s Velocity fundraiser.

The South Manchester based IT hardware supplier have again entered a team for the CITC – Official website event after a successful debut at the Manchester Velodrome last year.

The event involves teams of business buying hour slots at the Velodrome to raise funds for Manchester City’s City In The Community Foundation.

CITC work with thousands of people of all ages in the Greater Manchester area providing support and teach new skills including health, skills and enterprise and sport.

This year alone CITC have delivered free soccer schools to more than 1,000 youngsters as well as launching a walking football program designed to get over 50s into a healthier lifestyle.

Velocity is one of the showpiece fundraises for CITC and last year raised more than £26,000 with more than 400 people taking part – clocking up an incredible 2,223 kilometres over 8,892 laps of the Velodrome.

Interviewed

ICP Networks MD Matt Archer has entered a team for a second year and he was interviewed by Manchester City Interview with ICP Networks ahead of the event.

He said: “We are of course delighted to support initiatives that help to raise both much-needed funds for CITC and the profile of the foundation.

“If we can help, even in a very small capacity, we are delighted to do so. The opportunity to ride at the Velodrome – to follow in the wheel of some of the greatest names in world cycling is an opportunity that can not be missed, though I do not expect us to be setting any cycling records!

“It was a great event last year and led by our captain Phil Haselgrove, we actually did pretty well considering. We clocked up an impressive 85 laps in our one-hour session. We intend to do even better than last year.

“You don’t have to take it Velocity mega seriously but I promise you: the moment you sit on the bike on the boards, it is amazing how important it suddenly feels.

“Final piece of advice… think about what you eat the night before! Lycra, steep banking and fast speeds under bright lights are probably better without a pre-match curry! Think Velocity not Vindaloo – save that for afterwards!”

Support

ICP Networks agreed a four-year sponsorship deal with CITC, providing the foundation with two mini buses and a transit van used by CITC to deliver their lessons and the footballing roadshow around Greater Manchester.

The decision to support CITC was an easy one for ICP Networks MD Matt Archer who believes it is crucial to show support to the local community.

He told Manchester City FC: “We support City in the Community because we feel it is crucial to do so. The CITC team are the unsung heroes of Manchester City FC – their work and their results are in our opinion worthy of every honour the first-team secure on the pitch.

“They help those around us that otherwise may struggle or not have the opportunities that others have; yet through CITC, they are presented with real hope and opportunities and are able to feel support and warmth from a team of workers that genuinely want to make a difference.”