HARROGATE MAN CYCLES ‘END TO END’ FOR CHARITY

After months of planning, 56 year-old Simeon Brown from Harrogate is ready to take on the great ‘end to end’ cycle ride to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society. Simeon and three companions set off for the 136 mile, 14 day marathon ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats on Friday 15 April. Simeon and his friend Andy Lowe, 52, from Bardsey, planned the ride after taking up cycling to work four years ago to get fit. Simeon now regularly cycles the 20 mile round trip to work at Bupa Care Services in Horsforth, Leeds. The riders aim to raise £4k in sponsorship which will then be matched by Bupa Care Services to give a grand total of £8k. Andy, Simeon, Mark Spiers, 42, from Shropshire and Paul Martin, 61, who lives in France will be ably supported by a team of friends and family, many of whom are also connected to Bupa Care Services. These supporters will carry food and spare parts and meet the riders at hostels and hotels along the route. “A lot of people have given their support, time and emotional support,” says Simeon. “And the Alzheimer’s Society seems appropriate to raise money for, given our line of work.” Andy and the riders will report their progress via Twitter and on their website http://web.me.com/andylowe/e2ecyclists/Welcome.html They will also welcome anyone who wants to come along and ride with them for the day, providing they can keep up an average speed of 65mph. “We’ve been training together at weekends, doing 45-50 miles day,” says Simeon. “So we’re pretty much prepared. We’re aiming to prove that, at middle age, we can still do something beyond what’s expected.” Siobhan Drane, Bupa’s community affairs consultant, says: “I’m very proud that our staff are cycling ‘end to end’ for charity. Everyone has been so enthusiastic and the money raised is supporting such a worthy cause, close to the hearts of many staff members and residents within our homes. Good luck to all those taking part!” To sponsor Simeon and the team, or to make a donation, visit http://www.justgiving.com/cycling-lands-end-2-john-o-groats.