Daniel Cavender loves cycling but is not a fitness fanatic. He is, however, planning a charity ride from Rome to Swindon to raise funds for the Great Western Hospital.
In 2011 he rode from John O’Groats to Land’s End and raised £3,500 for GWH’s White Horse birthing ward and the stroke and respiratory units. Hard work though it was, he really enjoyed the ride.
Daniel told Marlborough News Online: “It was a wonderful experience. I met loads of good people who helped support me throughout the challenge and once again I would like to say thanks to them.”
Daniel who suffers from a mental health condition, got his inspiration for the ride after volunteering at GWH for two years: “I can recommend cycling as great way to alleviate stress. It has certainly helped me keep a positive outlook on life.”
He lives in Marlborough and is now studying a part-time IT course at Plymouth University.
He plans to start the cycle ride from Rome in May or June next year. His aim is to raise £9,000.
He’ll take the train to Rome and starting from the Vatican will go to the west coast, north to Turin, across the Alps to Lyon, onto Paris, across to London and to Swindon.
Once back he wants to have an auction of sports goods and momentos – some of which he hopes to pick up along the way.
Point-to-point it’s about 1,300 miles, but he reckons that by taking some back roads it’ll be nearer to 1,500 miles. Daniel is 38 years old: “It’s going to be a tough challenge for me.”
The main beneficiary of his ride will be GWH’s Osprey Ward for outpatients with serious conditions. He wants to be enable them to get some serious equipment which will be directly available to the ward manager and staff nurses – equipment that is not formally funded by the NHS.
In the meantime he is collecting funds for GWH – last month he was at the Pewsey Music Festival with his stationary training bike and a large bucket for donations.
He’s looking for fellow cyclists to join the ride and details are on his website – where you can add your support and find out how to donate.
