Keen cyclists Paul Humphrey and Tim Wilson are undertaking the arduous Ride Across Britain challenge for the Sue Ryder charity.
It’s a nine-day, 980-mile cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats next month, in which they will raise vital funds for Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire.
The duo, from Ewelme, near Wallingford, will be joined by around 900 other cyclists, who will all keep each other’s spirits high to reach the finish line at the top of Scotland.
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The pair signed up for the mammoth bike ride over a year ago, and have been building up their training ever since, regularly cycling four times a week through a variety of routes and weather conditions, even in the depths of winter.
As time has passed, their routes have become steeper and longer, in preparation for the challenge and the longest route they have taken so far is 200km.
Mr Humphrey, 62, said: “We both enjoy cycling but this is by far the biggest challenge we’ve ever done.
“Each day of the event we’ll be cycling 100 miles at least. During training we can easily cover that distance in one go, but doing it nine times in a row is going to be a very different story!”
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As both cyclists have a strong connection to the health sector - with Mr Wilson, 60, working as a doctor and Mr Humphrey previously working in pharmaceuticals - they were keen to support a healthcare charity.
Living in Ewelme, close to Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire in Wallingford, and knowing the incredible work the team do there to provide end-of-life care to those who need it locally, the charity was an obvious choice for both of them.
Mr Humphrey said: “We wanted to pick a cause that was local to us and something which people could identify with locally.
“Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire has touched many people’s hearts and provides a very valuable service to the community. We’re delighted to be supporting them in this way.”
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Megan Bentley, community fundraiser at Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Paul and Tim for choosing to take on this impressive challenge to support us.
“As a charity we’re reliant on generous supporters donating and fundraising, which helps us to be there when it matters for people going through the most difficult times of their lives.
“Good luck Paul and Tim - we’re behind you both all the way to John O’Groats!”
The team hopes to raise a total of £4,000.
To donate to their fundraising total, visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/Paul-Tim. For more information on Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire visit: sueryder.org/southox.
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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF
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