2 days ago
Berkshire Teenager set to pedal 2,600 miles for Dorset charity
A teenager is taking on a charity challenge to cycle over 2,600 miles (4,184 km) around the UK visiting 60 Great British Dunlop, 19, from Lambourn in Berkshire, started his cycle ride at Newton Abbot racecourse in Devon and will finish at Newbury racecourse in Berkshire on Thursday 28 Dunlop wants to raise £60,000 for two charities, the Injured Jockeys Fund and Diverse Abilities to help fund a hydrotherapy pool for The Beehive Activity and Therapy Centre in Poole, said: "During my gap year I wanted to challenge now I'm home it's time to give something back."
Mr Dunlop explained that he is taking on this challenge for The Beehive as his godmother's son, Ollie Meyrick, 23, has attended for many Meyrick has Angelman's Syndrome, which is a rare genetic disorder that causes severe physical and mental disabilities.
Mr Dunlop said: "I was a bit nervous beforehand worried if I was fit enough and if the self navigating would go ok."Now, I've got going it feels brilliant and I'm loving some of the hills. They don't seem as bad as they looked on the route planner."He added: "The hardest bit so far is eating enough food, as I need 4,000-plus calories a day."My mother is driving the back up van and we try and meet every 20 miles for snacks and water."His mum Christina Dunlop recalls when Mr Dunlop said he wanted to go on a gap she was keen he did so but that he did something for charity."Little did we know he'd come up with an event that would involve serious logistical plotting and planning and a fitness regime," she said. "The ironic thing is that Tom has dyspraxia and couldn't ride a bike until he was 11-years-old."I'm so very proud of what he is aiming to achieve."
Ollie's mum Alexandra Meyrick said: "The Beehive gives Ollie something truly precious: purpose."She added: "The centre provides more than just care, it offers dignity, joy, and a sense of belonging. We are eternally grateful to the team there."What they offer makes such a difference."She said: "Tom has generously said that he will equally divide the money he raises."
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