After starting a colossal challenge to cycle 4,000 miles and raise £4,000 for Mountbatten, Nettlestone and Seaview parish councillor Michael Ward, has nearly finished.
The fundraiser grew from an idea at the beginning of lockdown to make the daily trip out for exercise count for something.
Now, 3,159 miles completed, nearly £3,200 raised and a set of tyres later, Michael Ward is making every mile count by cycling after work and on weekends, trying to cover at least 100 miles a week.
Michael says:
“My family think I am mad.
“I thought how could I put the exercise to better use and I knew Mountbatten had lost Walk the Wight and had to close its charity shops so I thought I should do a challenge to help them out and it has sort of snowballed from there.
“Where I run my own business and then go cycling, it is starting to take its toll with tiredness but you get out what you put in.
“It is tough to keep the momentum going but when you get a donation you get an extra lift as they are important for the hospice, who have lost a lot of money. Every penny counts because it takes me closer to my target of helping the hospice.”
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Despite an over-the-handlebars accident a couple of weeks ago, Michael is still physically fit and raring to go, hoping to finish his challenge and fulfil his fundraising target by the end of September — a month ahead of the initial target date.
One of his longest rides to date has been a 51-mile trek to Newport, Cowes, Sandown, Bembridge and back to Seaview.
To donate to Cllr Ward’s campaign for Mountbatten, you can visit his just fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Michael-Ward47.
