Man, 79, cycles over 400 miles for charity

A 79-year-old man has completed a 400-mile charity cycle ride around Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire.

John Whitbread, from Keelby, Lincolnshire, cycled about 66 miles (106km) a day, visiting six locations across the region.

He raised more than £2,500 for his nominated charities, which included LIVES first responders, Cancer Research UK and Dementia UK.

Commenting on his achievement, Mr Whitbread said: "It's not about me, it's about the people who've supported me over these last six rides."

Mr Whitbread said he originally planned to cycle the distance from his home in Keelby to Berwick-Upon-Tweed, in Northumberland, and back.

"Unfortunately, my plans had to be changed because my wife had taken ill and I had to be here at night-time," he said.

Instead, he rode to Mablethorpe, Hornsea, Horncastle, Lincoln Cathedral, Gainsborough and Beverley Minster, covering a distance of 414 miles (about 666km).

Mr Whitbread, who only took up cycling about two years ago after buying an e-bike, said the hardest part of the challenge was the ride to Gainsborough.

"It actually poured with rain. I was absolutely soaked to the skin," he added.

However, he said the reception he received from LIVES after completing the challenge last Wednesday made it all worthwhile.

"They all turned out for me, they had lots of photographs and videos and also a nice mug of tea and a chocolate brownie," he said.

Mr Whitbread said his target had been to raise £500 for each of his nominated charities, as well as money for his local church, St Bartholomew's.

"I've exceeded that but I would really love to make it £3,000," he added.

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