A keen cyclist and volunteer for the Bradley Lowery Foundation is embarking on a 320-mile tour of 39 football grounds to raise money for the charity.
Mark Harrison, 37, has fundraised for the foundation for three years and has so far helped to raise more than £3,000 alone and more than £20k as part of two charity football teams.
The ride will begin on April 11 in Carlisle and will cover the 39 grounds in four days, ending in Newton Aycliffe on April 14.
Sporty Mark is aiming to raise £300 from the bike ride to fund his participation in Bradley Lowery Foundation charity football matches, playing for the foundation’s Team North and Team Orange.
The Bradley Lowery Foundation was established in memory of Bradley Lowery, who passed away following a fight with Neuroblastoma in 2017. Since then, the charity has raised more than £3 million for dozens of poorly children across the UK; established a dedicated support line for the families of children with cancer; donated over £200,000 to researching childhood cancers and campaigned for new drugs to be introduced in the UK.
Mark Harrison said: “I have been a volunteer for the Bradley Lowery Foundation for around three years now. I was asked by a friend to play in a charity football match in London and I couldn’t say no.
“Since then, I have been involved in playing more games, where we’d always have a target to raise to play.
“I have also integrated my passion for cycling into it by using that as a way to spread what I do. I use my cycling to pay for each of these games, putting the amounts we have to raise in each pot.
“I have done the coast-to-coast alone and also arranged for a group ride for six of us have, and this year I plan to make it even bigger. Last year I completed a 400-mile ride around the Yorkshire borders over a five day period raising £600.
“This year I have had the idea to involve the Northern League and its 41 teams. Many of these clubs share the story of Bradley and have helped to raise funds for the charity so it is a good way for me to show appreciation to them and visit all of the clubs. I plan to ride to all 39 grounds where 41 teams play.”
Lynn Murphy, chief operating officer of the Bradley Lowery Foundation, said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to Mark for his hard work fundraising for the foundation over the past three years and wish him the best of luck with this latest endeavour.
“The charity relies on donations and the efforts of volunteers, and we’re delighted that Mark is so committed to helping us support poorly children and adults. He is an inspiration.”
To donate to Mark’s ride, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/footballgroundride
Mark’s approximate schedule
April 11 – 3 grounds 3 teams
- Carlisle City 9am
- Penrith 10.30am
- Northallerton Town 4.30pm
April 12 – 12 grounds 13 teams
- Guisborough Town 9am
- Redcar Atletic 9.45am
- Redcar Town 10.15am
- Thornaby 11.30pm
- Billingham Synthornia 12.30
- Billingham Town 1pm
- Through Blackhall 2pm
- Horden CW 2.15pm
- Easington Colliery 2.45pm
- Seaham Red Star 3.30pm
- Sunderland RCA 4pm
- Ryhope CW 4.30pm
- Sunderland West end/Washington 5.15pm
April 13 – 13 grounds/teams
- Boldon 8.30am
- Jarrow 9am
- North Shields 10am
- Whitley Bay 10.30am
- Blythe Town 11.15am
- Bedlington Terriers 11.45am
- Ashington 12.30pm
- West Allotment Celtic 1.45pm
- Heaton Stannington 2.15pm
- Newcastle Benfield 2.45pm
- Whickham 3.45pm
- Ryton & Crawcook 4.30pm
- Newcastle Uni (Prudhoe) 5pm
April 14 – 11 grounds 12 teams
- Birtley Town 9am
- Chester le Street 9.30am
- Brandon United 10.15am
- Esh Winning 11am
- Consett 12.15pm
- Tow law town 1.30pm
- Crook Town 2pm
- Willington/Durham City 2.30pm
- West Auckland 3.30pm
- Bishop Auckland 4pm
- Newton Aycliffe 5pm