Naturist rider saddles up for charity challenge
ACYCLIST and enthusiastic naturist is taking on a unique challenge to raise money for two local charities.
Stuart Gilmour, 41, will be tackling a 26-mile stretch from Middleton to Hollingworth Lake over the upcoming bank holiday weekend to raise money for Maggie’s, which provides support and advice to cancer patients in the Greater Manchester area, and Dr Kershaw’s Hospice in Oldham.
Stuart, a HGV driver, frequently goes out on his bike in the nude on cycle routes in the Middleton area - but says he always tries to go out on his rides early in the morning so as not to disturb any members of the public.
He said the two charities were especially important to him and paid tribute to their “amazing” work.
Stuart said: “My uncle Denis sadly passed away in January but he spent some of the last months of his life being cared for at the hospice and the staff there are just amazing. “They are backed all by charity donations and get nothing from the government, so we hope to support them as much as we can.” Maggie’s was chosen due to the work Stuart’s wife Karen does as a cancer support worker for Macmillan at Royal Oldham Hospital, often referring patients to the services that are offered by the charity. Karen, 40, will be embarking on the ride together with Stuart, but has decided she will be completing the route clothed.
The couple, of Oldham Road, Middleton, have three children; Cameron, 21, Elliot, 16, and Ruby 11.
Asked what his children think of his outdoor pursuits, Stuart said: “I think at first the reaction was a bit “oh no dad, really?”. But now they’re used to it and completely fine with it.
“I love the freedom of naturism and enjoy sunbathing at home - it’s really good for you. “I like to think it’s promoting body positivity - I’m not perfect but no-one should be ashamed of showing off their body.”
Although Stuart says he has had some questions from people in the past about the legality of naturism in public, he said that appearing naked in public is completely legal.
He added that the reaction of friends and members of the public to his charity challenge had been “fantastic” and that he had been pleasantly surprised by the amounts already donated, with a combined total of £880 already raised for the two charities.
He said: “I had no idea it would be so popular but hopefully we can raise lots more for two fantastic charities.”
A fundraising site, www.naked-cyclist.co. uk, has been set up where supporters can choose to donate to either one of Stuart’s chosen charities.