Novice cyclist is set for charity challenge

Pedal power - Mark Burton and his brand new wheels, bought especially to take on the Acorns Severn Valley cycle challenge. (s)

A KIND-HEARTED Droitwich man will be putting pedal to the metal to support a charity close to his heart next month, despite only recently purchasing a bike.

Mark Burton, of Mosel Drive, has signed up for Acorns Children's Hospice's 20 mile Severn Valley Cycle Challenge on August 19 in memory of his niece Olivia Collins.

Olivia passed away last year three months short of what would have been her third birthday after battling the rare condition Aicardi Syndrome.

Her family used the services offered by the hospice in Olivia's final weeks and are still still receiving support to this day.

Mark said: "I wanted to do something to keep fit and saw the event advertised in one of the Acorns shop windows so signed

up.

"Olivia’s family used to visit the hospice and I know how much they benefited from it, particularly the hydrotherapy pool.

Mark will honour his niece and join a host of fund-raisers on the day to tackle either the 20 mile route starting at Bridgnorth or a less-demanding 10 mile route starting at the Severn Valley Country Park.

Both pass by Arley Arboretum and the Wyre Forest before reaching the finish line in Bewdley, cyclists can then celebrate their achievement with a scenic return journey by steam train.

"I don’t like running but we went cycling on a recent holiday and I like the idea of exercise that I can do whilst sitting down," he added.

"I only recently bought a bike, so I can get training before the big day and I’m sure I’ll appreciate being able to get the steam train back at the end of the 20 miles."

Acorns treks and challenges officer, Lucy Shepherd, said: "The Severn Valley Cycle is now in its third year and has become a

popular event, due to its beautiful backdrop, challenging nature and the well earned steam train ride to finish off!

"It’s wonderful to hear people like Mark are using it as a challenge to get fit as well as fundraise for a great cause," she added.

Visit www.justgiving.com/Mark-Burton4 for more information and to sponsor Mark.

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