Kentish Express Ashford & District
Fixed up for fitness challenge
AnTiques dealer adrian seleCTed TO reCeiVe PersOnal TraininG aHead OF 100-Mile BiKe ride
A Brookland man inspired by the acclaimed documentary Fixing Dad has been chosen from thousands of applicants to take part in the follow-up.
Forty-nine-year-old Adrian Higham, was one of four people handpicked from more than 2,000 entries for the Prudential Ride London Fixing Challenge, which will see him receive personalised fitness training, as well as diet and lifestyle advice in a bid to help him regain his health.
The challenge will culminate with Adrian taking part in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100, a 100-mile ride around the capital and into the Surrey hills.
Antiques dealer Adrian will be supported by one of his customers, Michael Greenslade, throughout and their journey will be filmed by the Whitington brothers, who made the acclaimed Fixing Dad documentary which aired on the BBC last summer.
Adrian lost his wife 14 years ago when his children were two and six-months old, after which his weight ballooned to 25 stone, but he hopes the challenge will provide him with the perfect platform to get healthy.
He said: “Two years ago, I collapsed on a ferry because I was 36 stone in weight. I’d had all the shock tactics to try to make me lose weight but I was rushed into hospital and still did nothing about it.
“My family is rife with diabetes, so I decided I wanted to break the mould. I sat down in the front of the TV one night and Fixing Dad came on.
“I didn’t have a clue what it was about but I sat and watched it and was absolutely open-mouthed.
“I could not believe what I was seeing. A couple of years before, I had actually got stuck in traffic caused by the Prudential RideLondon and thought to myself, ‘what on earth are these people doing?’
“But after watching Geoff and the programme, seeing him come over the line and that look on his face, I’ll never forget it.
“For years, doctors have told me that if I don’t lose weight, I will die but those shock tactics haven’t worked. But watching the programme made me realise I had to do it.
“This isn’t just for me, though. I want people to see me in two years’ time and say that they want to do what I have done. It’s infectious.”
Fixing Dad saw filmmakers Anthony and Ian Whitington help their dad, Geoff, battle back from type 2 diabetes and the threat of foot amputation to complete the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 in 2014. Three years on, Geoff has lost seven stone, has reversed his type 2 diabetes and is enjoying good health and the family have worked with Prudential RideLondon to launch the Fixing Challenge to help more people achieve the same results.
The Whitingtons will provide mentoring and support for the six months leading up to the ride and on the day itself, as well as provide access to medical experts.
“I couldn’t believe it when I was told I had got a place on the challenge. It was shock initially but then it was excitement and I just kept thinking about the film,” Adrian said.
“The amount of support that you see behind the whole process is staggering. I don’t want to let myself down and others as well.
“I’ve lost over five stone already since watching the film. Five months ago, I couldn’t even get on a bike but now I’m cycling every day and it’s brilliant.”
Prudential RideLondon is the world’s greatest festival of cycling and takes place in London between Friday, July 28, and Sunday, July 30. For more information, visit www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk.