1,200-mile bike ride signed, sealed, delivered
AFORMER fashion institute director is preparing for a 1,200-mile bike ride the length of Britain by signing up with Deliveroo.
Rory Turner, 65, aims to cycle from Lands End to John O’Groats next May to raise money for Cancer Research.
And he has taken a job in Southport with the fast growing online food delivery company to ensure he is fighting fit for his ride.
The ex-director at the International Fashion Institute at UCLan in Preston will be leaving for his journey on May 1, 2018 and has planned to complete the ride by May 28, just in time for his wedding anniversary.
Rory said: “I’ve done a few coast to coast walks before but now I thought it was about time I attempted the big one. “Because I’ve retired, Deliveroo is a good way to train as it means I’m covering around 25 to 50 miles a day.
“I’m living from my pension too so it’s nice to have a little bit more money coming in that can go towards the accommodation when I’m cycling because no money raised will be going towards that.”
Rory will be doing the ride along with his friends Bob and Tamzin Williams.
He said: “Tamzin lost her sister to cancer on July 4 this year and Bob was chief executive of the North West Ambulance Service and has just been awarded the Queen’s Ambulance Medal! All of us have been affected by cancer in some way. My wife’s mother lost her life to cancer.
“There’s so much about it now and there are so many people who have lost loved ones to this terrible disease.”
Last year Rory raised more than £500 for Cancer Research by doing another bike ride but hopes to eventually broaden the charities he donates to.
He said: “There are a lot of great causes out there and you have to start somewhere. But I hope to raise some money for the local hospice, Queenscourt, in the future.”
Although his family may question his choice of training, Rory is enjoy- ing his time at the takeout service. He said: “My kids think I’m stupid but I guess it’s a way of keeping me fit.
“It’s also great because you can work your own hours. Though when it’s raining it’s not too nice.”
Rory has been into cycling for a number of years. He said: “I used to do mountain biking when I was younger. I’ve always been sporty and now that I’ve turned 65 I find cycling good as it has a low impact on your joints.
“At the moment I’m training in my Deliveroo uniform but there is no way I’ll be wearing it during the bike ride!
“Even though the training is going well, I would much rather be playing golf.”
To donate visit www. justgiving. com/ RoryTurner2