Around the UK in 14 days for charity by pedal power
AN employee of local children's charity
Barnstondale is taking his job to another level to raise funds for the Centre,
by cycling from John o' Groats to Land's End. Simon Binns and his three friends
will be setting off on Saturday, 30 May 2015 and hope to pedal up to 1,000
miles, across the length and breadth of the country, in just 14 days. While
Simon will be fundraising for Barnstondale, the others will also be supporting
their own local charities.
The John o' Groats to Land's End route runs the whole length of Mainland UK. It
is a popular challenge for many cyclists and is often used to raise money for
charity. Starting at the tip of Scotland, the group will pass through some of
Britain's most iconic landmarks and scenic countryside, to reach the Pewith
Peninsula in Cornwall. The Lake District, Inverness and the Severn Bridge will
all be along the route, with local points of interest including Runcorn and
Chester. In recent times the route has been used as a rite of passage by
cyclists taking on the most iconic and toughest cycling challenge in Britain.
Team GB rower and Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell and former England
Rugby captain Lewis Moody have both completed this route for their chosen
charities in the past.
Commented Simon Binns, employee at
Barnstondale:- "Completing this cycle challenge was always on my bucket
list. Now in my 50th birthday year, I feel this is a good time to finally turn
my dream into reality. Despite minimal experience and some uncharacteristic
physiques not typically suited to cycling, my friends and I have been working
hard over the last few months to train and get prepared for the ride. We're in
no doubt that this will be a gruelling task, but we're excited to take to the
roads and explore Britain in all of its glory."
Barnstondale Centre is an overnight getaway destination and activity centre
situated in the village of Barnston, Wirral. It serves many purposes and caters
to the needs of people of all abilities. Its facilities include 3 large log
cabins (used for accommodation), a sports hall, conference room, climbing and
abseiling wall, rifle shooting and archery range, outdoor multi-usage games area
and over 12 acres of woodland.
Also taking part in the challenge are Dr Ian Woods, a GP based at Long Lane
Medical Centre in Aintree, Alastair Sunderland, a retired local architect, and
self employed painter and decorator Gary Tull or 'Tully the Brush'. Dr Woods has
also chosen to raise funds for a cause closely related to his career;
Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, 1 of the largest, networked cancer centres in the
country, operating from nine sites across Merseyside and Cheshire. Alastair is
supporting a local church's youth group on their annual trip, where they will be
helping out at an African school.
Commented Heidi Hughes, Barnstondale's Business Director:- "As well as
fundraising to pay for maintenance and improvement work, Barnstondale also
earmarks some of its money to pay for children who visit with larger groups and
whose parents are unable to afford the cost of their trip, so that they don't
miss out. As a charity focused on supporting the development of young people,
especially those from socially deprived areas or challenging backgrounds, this
is important to us. Simon's fundraising will help enable this to happen. He is
going above and beyond the call of duty and we're very grateful for his
support."
To sponsor Simon, click on
here. For
more information about Barnstondale visit:-
Barnstondale.Org or call Heidi Hughes,
Business Director at Barnstondale on:- 0151 648 1412.
