CYCLISTS from Warwick are gearing up to journey across the entire length of Wales in aid of Prostate Cancer UK.
Simon Storey, along with five friends, is cycling from the north western town of Caernarvon to Chepstow in the south-east, in just one day – covering 185 miles and 15,000 ft of climbing.
The father-of-four, who is a coach at Stratford Juniors Cycling Club, has organised many cycle challenges over the last ten years including cycling from coast to coast at thinnest, widest and longest points of Britain, cycling the Big 5 – five countries and five capital cities in five days, and riding from London to Paris and back.
This time the team is raising money for Prostate Cancer UK, since one of their number has been touched by the illness which affects one in eight men.
Simon, who has covered over 2,000 miles in training, said: “The distance of the challenge although long is doable, but it’s the climbing that will be really tough, 15,000 feet will be energy sapping. On top of that the weather looks like it will be hot!
“Because these type of challenges are so tough I like to raise money and over recent years we have raised over £28,000 for various charities including Wish Upon a Star, Cancer Research and The Brain Tumour Charity.
“This time we have chosen Prostate Cancer UK because one of our teams family member is suffering from this terrible disease. I am 44 years old and coming to the age group where there is an increased risk and with prostate cancer there are usually no symptoms in the early stages. If the money we raise can help people suffering from it and their families, or even to just raise awareness of prostate cancer then the pain and suffering we will go through will be worth it.”
The keen cyclist was also behind a community initiative last year called The Bicycle Bus in the Warwick Gates area. The scheme encourages children and parents to ride to school once every two weeks, to improve their physical and mental health, reduce cars on the road and improve the air quality around schools.
Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/walesin1day to support the team.
