A Rotarian from East Yorkshire is planning to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats this April in memory of his late wife, and is looking for support from Rotary clubs along the route.
He will be in Cumbria, and receiving support en-route, which will include a special promotional day on MND in Penrith.
Peter Delaney will be setting out from Land’s End in Cornwall on April 26 and plans to travel the length of Great Britain to John O’Groats in Scotland, a total of 1,189 miles, by the end of May.
Peter, a member of Beverley Rotary Club, is raising funds for the charity Motor Neurone Disease (MND) after recently losing his wife, Maureen, to this disease.
Despite mobility issues, the 63-year-old is determined to complete the challenge and raise sponsorship along the way.
He said: “My wife, Maureen, was a daughter, a sister and friend to many and in 2022 she sadly lost her life to Motor Neurone Disease.
“She will always be fondly remembered as a fun, kind, creative person who was forever helping others. She may have been short in stature, but she had a large personality and an infectious laugh that she maintained throughout her illness.
“Maureen was determined to maintain her quality of life for as long as possible, even opting to have a second hip replacement after her MND diagnosis.
“I am equally determined to honour her memory and I have chosen to raise funds for much needed vital research into MND, to support others in the future.
“In this respect I am honoured that my fellow Rotarians at Beverley Rotary Club are helping me achieve my goal. I would be equally honoured for other fellow Rotarians to spare a little of their time to read through my plans, join me in my quest where possible and donate.”
To support Peter, Beverley Rotary Club are offering a ‘virtual sponsorship’ challenge called March on MND. With the estimated number of steps to walk from Lands End to John O’Groats tallied at 2,299,171 steps, the club is inviting people to sponsor with a £1 donation for 100 steps on the virtual journey.
They are also inviting people to join Peter in the saddle for part of the journey to north Scotland. People will be wearing shirts featuring the words Route 53 March on MND which 53 a significant number relating to his wife’s birthday. He will also be carrying 53 Rotary club pennants to exchange with groups along the way.
He is expected in Penrith for the promotional day on May 14.
Peter plans to arrive in the county on May 12 travelling from Clitheroe to Burton-in-Kendal before the following day his route will take him from Kendal to Appleby-in-Westmorland and then on to Penrith.
For more information email: rcbmembers27@gmail.com (using MND in the subject line) or call Peter on 07957 546824 or Jools on 07885 222816.
