‘Naughty boys’ saddle up for grand(ad) tour
TWO grandads are planning their latest fundraising challenge - a tandem cycle ride from London to Brighton.
Steve Whiting, 59, and Russ Burgess, 63, are planning to raise £1,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society on the 55-mile ride.
In 2020 the pair donned fancy dress and drove a £250 Hyundai Getz from Gawsworth Hall to Inverness in aid of the Florence Home Foundation after Russ’s son Jay and Steve’s daughter Bethany had their first child together - Lilly-May.
The duo are currently preparing for the ride by getting used to their tandem, as Steve said neither of the self-styled ‘galavanting grandads’ are keen cyclists.
He said: “Neither of us are cyclists to say the least. The last time I was a cyclist was on a Raleigh Chopper bike in the 1970s! So it’s a bit of a challenge.
“We started at ten miles, we’re now up to 35 miles and near 40 now, it’s hard work. We’ve got a combined age of over 120 between the two of us. I know it’s not a lot for some cyclists but for us it’s a good challenge.
“For in-laws we get on like a house on fire. We’re two naughty boys. We’re reliving our childhood and while we’re doing that we’re hopefully making a difference to other people.”
A week before the ride on September 11, the pair will also be cycling 10 laps of the F1 circuit at Silverstone - and will be joined by Russ’s wife Yvonne for both events.
Steve added that the pair chose the Alzheimer’s Society to help two friends, both called Dave.
One is Russ’s next door neighbour, whose family have been affected by the condition with the other being Russ’s good friend Dave who’s son used to play in the youth football team Steve managed a few years ago.
“Not only does it affect the people who’ve got it but it also affects the family, which we’re seeing on a day-to-day basis so that’s why we’ve picked the Alzheimer’s Society,” said Steve.
Links to the ‘galavanting grandads’ Facebook page and JustGiving page are:
www.facebook.com/ SteveRuss007
www.justgiving.com/ team/Galavantinggrandads