FOUR Huddersfield riders will cycle from Land’s End to John O’ Groats to raise cash for charity.
Nick Hampson, Tim Brooke, Ben Brooke and Roger Thomas, all from Almondbury, have given up their holiday entitlement to complete the 1,040-mile journey, starting on August 2.
Nick, 59, a director of a Kirkburton engineering company, hopes to raise money after a close friend was left mute following a stroke 18 months ago.
Tim, 56, and his son Ben, 27, hope to raise funds for The British Heart Foundation, which helped Tim’s father.
Roger, 52, a Crown Court judge, aims to raise money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance after his life was saved by a French rescue helicopter following a holiday skiing accident.
The cyclists have completed charity rides from Whitehaven to Sunderland and Liverpool to Hull for Huddersfield good causes, including Almondbury Church.
But the quartet expect the 15-day trip, known as Le Jog, to be their toughest challenge yet.
The riders have used business contacts and Kirkburton businesses, including Try Cycle, for practical and financial support.
Wives Denise Hampson, Chris Brooke and Vanessa Thomas will follow the riders with supplies.
Nick says: “It’s 14 days riding. We’re not having a rest day. We’ve been training at weekends and twice each week. We’re ready for it. We’ve been doing 200 miles a week.
“I’ve raised £1,200 for my friend and we’re looking at raising four to five thousand pounds to split between the other charities.
“We’re feeling very good about it. You get a great perspective of the British countryside on bikes.”
