Cyclist tackles region’s high roads for charity

Sep 4 2008 by Emma Davison, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

CYCLIST Alex Millman tackled some of the highest roads in Yorkshire to raise money for a Huddersfield charity.

Alex, a bakery manager for Sainsbury’s store at Shore Head in Huddersfield, joined a team of riders taking part in a tough 160-mile cycle ride.

His efforts will help raise thousands of pounds for charity in memory of his friend’s wife Lynda Sowerby, who died from kidney cancer two years ago.

Lynda, a renal nurse, was aged just 41 when she lost her 14-month battle against disease.

After her death, her husband Dave, who runs Sowerby Brothers cycling shop in Mirfield, decided to stage an annual cycling challenge to raise money for Kirkwood Hospice, where Lynda spent the last few weeks of her life.

He wanted to give something back for the hospice after witnessing the excellent care that was given to his wife, with whom he has two children, Luke and Lucy.

The Four Highest Roads route took riders over Fleet Moss in North Yorkshire, Garrowby Hill in East Yorkshire, the Woodhead Pass in South Yorkshire and Holme Moss in West Yorkshire.

Alex, who knows Dave through his cycling shop and Ravensthorpe Cycling Club, gathered support for the charity event by having his own 35-mile bike ride in the Sainsbury’s store.

Staff from the hospice also held an in-store collection and the company agreed to match his sponsorship money if he raises £500.

He said: “It’s a really important event to Dave, because not only is it in memory of his wife, it’s also his way of giving back to the hospice because they did such a wonderful job of taking care of Lynda.

“He wants to help other people in similar circumstances and this is his way of doing it.”