Lee goes the extra mile to help charity close to home
A KEEN cyclist is supporting a mental health charity by cycling to the Arctic Circle – that’s 2,400 miles.
Lee Horseman has been cycling for over 25 years and is no stranger to a cycling challenge. He has taken part in challenges that covered Newcastle to London in 24 hours, Coast to Coast in a day, Beast the Beast and many more but this is set to be his biggest test yet.
The 45-year-old is a few days into North Cape 4,000, the unassisted bike-packing adventure from Italy to the Arctic Circle.
The challenge started last Saturday, July 23, and is set to take around two weeks.
Lee’s journey began in Italy and he has already made it to Austria; the trip will take him and 319 other cyclists through six countries. From Austria they will travel to Germany, Sweden set sail to Finland and finish in North Cape.
Ree has previously raised around £5,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support, after he lost his mother to cancer in 2011. This time, he has decided to raise funds for the Stockton charity, the Headlight Project and so far he has raised almost £2,000.
The Headlight Project was launched in January 2019 following the suicide of popular Teesside businessman Russ Devereux. Its aim is to reduce the number of deaths by suicide in the area.
The charity was founded by Russ’s wife and provides therapeutic support to children and adults who have suffered a traumatic bereavement by suicide. It visits schools and talks about the subject, and provides vital training to organisations and workplaces.
Lee, who is taking part in the North Cape 4,000 event for the first time, said: “I live in the same village as Russ’ family, and I knew Russ from the local pub where we had spoken a few times.
“I actually knocked on Catherine, his widow and founder of the charity’s, door to tell her I was thinking of doing the challenge and could I raise money for them.”
After cycling for nearly three decades, Lee, from Hutton Rudby, said: “I am ready to take on one last challenge and I wanted to raise funds for the charity to help the team in their mission to raise awareness of the support that’s out there for those who are suffering from depression and contemplating taking their own life.
“The work The Headlight Project does to support mental health in the local community is absolutely vital.
“I’ve not long lost my mum to cancer, so I understand the impact grief can have on those left behind.
“Their work with children is also crucial; having recently become a
dad, I realise how early support can make a difference.”
Founder of The Headlight Project Catherine Devereux said: “We are delighted Lee has decided to raise money for the charity by cycling the North Cape 4000. It’s a high-profile event that will raise awareness of the organisation, meaning we can provide more support to those in need.
“Without the support of fundraisers like Lee, the charity simply couldn’t continue to do its work in the local area. We are so grateful to Lee for choosing The Headlight Project for this epic challenge, and it is wonderful that he had known Russ too.”
The challenge is being sponsored by Devereux Transport, LV Well CBD, Charles Clinkard, CJ Construction, IOS, Naylors Gavin Black, NRG Cycles, Roseberry Financial and Tomahawk Steakhouse. Another local company, Presca, has designed a kit with all the corporate logos.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “The massive scale of Lee’s undertaking really shows how our local people are willing to go the extra mile – or 2,400 in this case – to help those who need it.”
If you want to follow Lee on his journey, use his race number 278 to track his progress on the North Cape 4000’s YouTube channel. To sponsor him, go to his Just Giving page: https://bit.ly/3PKtFei
I’ve not long lost my
mum to cancer, so I understand the impact
grief can have.
Lee Horseman