1,800-mile tricycle ride raises £3,000 for charity
A WIDNES man has returned home after an epic fundraising cycle to the Outer Hebrides and back.
Keith Pearson, 57, of Farnworth, raised nearly £3,000 by riding a tricycle from Widnes to the Shetland Islands in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society.
He left Widnes in May and returned towards the end of June.
He visited 16 of the British Isles, cycled 1,618 miles, travelled 748 miles by boat, walked 20 miles and completed 176 miles by car.
The longest day of cycling involved him riding 85 miles.
Keith said that he did not even suffer a puncture during his journey, and apart from spending three nights in a hotel, camped along the way
He said: “The trip was really quite easy and relaxing.
“I took part in this challenge for Alzheimer’s Society because I know from my own experience how difficult and isolating it can be to care for a loved one with dementia.
“The groups supported by Alzheimer’s Society offer a firm ground for many carers who may otherwise struggle.
“My wife and I have received a lot of support, information and encouragement from the society during difficult times.
“The staff are always available to us and often suggested strategies to cope with a difficult situation. My advice to anyone caring for a loved one with dementia is to contact your local Alzheimer’s Society office and get the support you need.
“It’s great to think that I will be raising funds to help support people to live well with dementia and to fund research to one day find a cure for dementia.”
Keith intends to undertake another challenge and is currently deciding which destination he wants to tackle next.
Ashley Dodd is an Alzheimer’s Society community fundraiser for Cheshire.
She said: ‘We are incredibly grateful to Keith for taking on this impressive bike challenge to support Alzheimer’s Society. Dementia can happen to anyone and there is currently no cure.
“But with the right support, people can live well with dementia.
“As a charity, we rely on the generosity of individuals like Keith to help us continue our vital work so that Alzheimer’s Society can continue leading the fight against dementia.”
To sponsor Keith visit www. justgiving. com/ Keith- Pearson5
For more information about the charity visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/events