Cats legends get on their bikes to send fans to Spain
A host of former Sunderland football stars will “cycle” more than 1,000 miles for charity later this week.
Chris Turner, Julio Arca and Lee Cattermole will be joined by TV presenters, representatives of the NHS in Sunderland and regional business leaders – including Leo Pearlman of Fulwell 73 – on a sponsored, simulated cycle ride to Bilbao.
It will all take place at the Fans Museum and the aim is to raise enough money to send a group of fans away to play a match against supporters of Atletico Bilbao.
Fans Museum founder Michael Ganley said: “While the Museum is a great place for footie fans to visit on match days, or even on those days when ‘The Lads’ are not at home, our work is not just about football memorabilia.
“We’re looking to raise £10,000 to take a group of fans, who have all had to deal with their own mental health issues, to play a match against supporters of the cup winners, Atletico Bilbao, in the Basque country, and also to play another future match in Ireland against our Irish Supporters branch.
“All of the money raised will be used to cover the costs of equipment and passports for those who don't have them, and for travelling and accommodation for both the game in the Basque country and the match in Ireland”.
Kick starting the cycle ride will be Enrico Milani who is an ambassador for the Fans Museum and co-founder of the Italian branch of the
Sunderland Supporters. He is travelling from Italy to be there.
“Enrico is an accomplished cyclist and actually rode his bike, eight years ago, from Italy to Sunderland,” said Michael.
“He will be cycling a number of hours next weekend to help ensure the target is reached and helping to ensure the Fans Museum Health Hub is promoted.”
All of the cyclists will take it in stages to rack up the 1,125 miles, from Monkwearmouth to Bilbao. They will even be cycling through the night.
The ride starts at 2pm on Friday, and finishes at 2pm on Saturday, before Sunderland’s home game against Millwall.
More than 60 people regularly attend the Museum’s mental health hub.
“We are very much community focused and currently, the work of our mental health hub involves supporting young and old who are dealing with, or have had to deal with, their own mental health issues,” said Michael.