Cyclists boost charity fund
Pedal power propelled a couple 310 miles across the country on a fundraising mission.
Matthew Knight and his partner Olivia Achurch cycled from Great Yarmouth to Aberystwyth on a route which his grandad had previously tackled in1987 on a tractor.
The journey included more than 14,000ft of ascent - three times the height of Ben Nevis.
They took on the challenge in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association to show support for Matthew’s brother-in-law who has the condition and is being supported by the charity.
Clocking up around 100 miles each day, the couple tackled long fenland roads and tricky Welsh hills in the changeable British weather.,
Olivia said: “The hardest part of the first day was coming across the Fen – the long, straight roads were relentless on the legs, and mentally exhausting too.”
The second day took the couple across Leicestershire, Staffordshire and Shropshire but wasn’t without drama as Matt’s pannier rack broke and Olivia fell off her bike.
The Ryhall couple tackled the Welsh hills on the third and final day in the rain but successfully completed their journey.
Olivia said: “A puncture and some very steep ascents on narrow lanes made for slow going in the morning, but by lunch time we had seen our first road sign for Aberystwyth and we knew the end was near.
“The final long climb up to 430m above sea level was rewarded with a long, smooth descent to the coast.”
The couple have raised £1,900 for charity.
Olivia said: “We have been blown away by the generosity of friends and strangers alike who have donated to the Motor Neurone Disease Association. We are incredibly grateful for everyone’s kind donations.
“We can’t overstate the importance of the work that MNDA do to support people diagnosed with the condition, and to fund research so that one day we can find a cure.”
One in 300 people are diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in their lifetime and there is currently no cure.
The charity has 9,000 members. Donations can be made online at www.justgiving.com/liv-and-matt
