‘Pedalling through the pain barrier’
Mark takes on 1,083-mile charity cycle ride – from inside his garage
HOW do you cycle more than 1,000 miles without going anywhere?
That’s the challenge a dadof-four has set himself to raise money for two North Staffordshire charities.
Ahead of his 60th birthday at the end of March, Mark Hurst is taking on a virtual Land’s End to John O’groats cycle ride – clocking up 1,083 miles from his garage in Biddulph.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, former Staffordshire Police officer Mark had to ditch plans to complete the gruelling cycle across the length of Britain.
So he has hitched his bike to a device that mimics the undulations of the ride – allowing him to take on the challenge virtually in the hope of raising at least £500.
Proceeds from Mark’s challenge will go to disability charity Caudwell Children, and the Jill Clewes Academy for Theatre Arts in Bradwell.
Mark is going through the pain barrier to support both causes, having recently undergone surgery to replace a knee cap and insert metalwork into his hip and leg following a bike accident at Chatterley Whitfield.
Mark said: “My wife thinks
I’m nuts! But I’ve done quite a few charity cycles for Caudwell Children in recent years and seen first-hand how important the support they provide is.
“I’d already planned to cycle Land’s End to John O’groats this year, but obviously that couldn’t happen. So I wanted to support local charities in a different way at this difficult time.
“I’ve broken the ride down into chunks of around 40 miles a day. I do a couple of stints in the garage every day, and it’s not as dull as you might think.
“I’ve got the garage door open, the TV on, and a monitor that tracks my progress along the route.”
If the challenge was not gruelling enough, the virtual version of the challenge is more than 100 miles longer, as it takes a less direct route across the UK. However, Mark is determined to complete it before he turns 60 on March 29 after starting on March 1.
Mark added: “I’m sure there will be days when it’s tough, but I’m doing this for two great local causes that do great work to help people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“I know it’s a difficult time at the moment and money is tight for many people – but if people can, please just give what you can afford. It all adds up.”
Based in Keele, Caudwell Children has supported more than 50,000 disabled children and their families since it was founded in 2000.
CEO of Caudwell Children, Trudi Beswick, said: “Mark has supported Caudwell Children for many years now, and we’re so grateful that he’s taken on another challenge to raise money that will help us deliver vital services for families in Staffordshire and right across the UK.
“We’ve been inundated with applications from families in the last few months, so the fundraising efforts of supporters like Mark make a huge difference.
“Please support him if you possibly can.”
The Jill Clewes Academy for Theatre Arts has more than 40 years’ experience offering training in all aspects of dance, drama, singing and musical theatre for children and adults across North Staffordshire.
■ To support Mark’s fundraising efforts visit: https:// uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ Markhurst17