An experienced cyclist is taking on a challenge to travel from Carlisle to London in 24 hours to raise funds for Eden Valley Hospice.
Ian Graham, 69, will set off on his epic journey to the capital, a distance of more than 300 miles, very early on Saturday, June 22 and cycle through the night with a small crew to support him.
Ian, originally from Carlisle but now lives in Newcastleton in the Scottish Borders, said: “I’ve heard about the incredible work the hospice does and have always wanted to do an event to raise funds so they can continue providing care to local families.
“Also, one of my support crew, Brendan Loughran from Carlisle, his mother was cared for by the hospice so it’s something very close to my team’s hearts.”
The hospice, in Durdar Road, Carlisle, provides care to local people with life limiting illnesses, as well as extending care to a patient’s loved ones.
It costs around £4.8 million to run the charity each year, with only around 20 per cent of that coming from the NHS and the rest coming from the generosity of local people.
No stranger to fundraising challenges, Ian has previously raised thousands of pounds for other charities including Macmillan by biking from Carlisle to Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, on D-Day in 2010, for Guide Dogs by cycling the Coast to Coast in a day and doing full and half marathons for various charities.
Ian’s challenge has had the support of Carlisle-based Grafix Signs and The Cumberland.
He added: “I want to say a big thank you to my support team, Brendan and Tony Preston, they have been very busy planning out the best route to take on a bike and will be following me in a support vehicle making sure I don’t get lost and have regular breaks to top up on energy.
“Anyone may need the care Eden Valley Hospice provides and it is important to raise funds and support the work they do, so please, if you can, donate.”
Donations can be made by www.justgiving.com/page/ian-graham-1715871187911
