A team of Virgin Media engineers from the South Coast have challenged themselves to cycle over 70 miles around the Isle of Wight in aid of charity.
10 riders will take to the Island’s roads on Friday (4th August) to help raise much-needed funds for Prostate Cancer UK. Each rider has had a friend or relative directly affected by cancer.
James, Sam, Simon, Mike, Derek, Ben, Tom, Dave, Scott and Ant will be arriving at Fishbourne at 08:00 on Friday morning before setting off clockwise around the Island to Ryde; St Helens; Ventnor; Brighstone; Freshwater; Yarmouth; Newbridge and Cowes.
It is hoped that the fundraisers will complete the around the Island challenge in under 32 hours, finishing at around 16:00 on Saturday afternoon.
The group has told Island Echo:
“As a team a lot of us found this a very daunting prospect as the fitness the levels amongst 10 middle aged engineers, with a staple diet of fast food, isn’t the recipe for success. However we were all up for the challenge and set out on our own individual training, some more successful than others.
“It even meant two of the riders having to borrow a bike and one having just learnt to ride a bike”.
If you happen to see the team on their bikes (all dressed in Prostate Cancer T-shirts), give them a wave and don’t be shy to throw your spare change into the collection buckets.
The team are hoping to raise £1,500. Donations can be made online at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/james-barnsdall1.
