Departed Cats duo to get on their bikes for Bradley

CHRIS Coleman and Kit Symons will honour their commitment to take part in a charity cycle ride in aid of the Bradley Lowery Foundation next week. The pair were sacked by Sunderland last weekend as part of the process which saw a consortium led by Eastleigh owner Steward Donald agree a deal to buy the club. The duo will be among 31 members of club staff taking part in the Five Ferries Challenge, a 52-mile cycle ride across the Scottish islands. The two-day ride involves five different ferry crossings in and around North Kintyre and the Firth of Clyde.

The ride will raise money for the Foundation, which was set up last year to honour six-year-old Sunderland fan Lowery, who lost his battle against cancer in July.

Chief executive Martin Bain, who is also taking part in the ride, said: “Bradley had such a huge impact on our football club and it is fantastic to see our staff coming together to support a cause which means so much to them and to Sunderland fans.

“It will be a tough challenge but there is a real desire from the group to complete the route to raise awareness and as much money as possible.”

Around £10,500 has already been pledged to the Foundation as a result of the cycle challenge and anyone wishing to support the club staff in their cycle challenge can donate at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sunderland-afc.