Former British Olympic racing cyclist Dudley Hayton is teaming up with a local businessman next week to raise money to help underprivileged children.
Dudley, along with Simon Thomas from Greenholme Carpets & Flooring, will take part in 'The Olympic Cycle Home' - a 200+ mile cycle starting at the Olympic Park in London on Wednesday (18 August) and arriving at Ilkley Rugby Club on Sunday 22 August.
The epic ride is hoping to raise a large amount of money for The Principle Trust Children's Charity, which provides respite breaks for underprivileged, disadvantaged and disabled children from across Yorkshire.
The pair have a fundraising target of £10,000 and want people to give what they can to support the effort. Local people are also being invited to cheer the duo over the finish line at 11.30am on Sunday at Ilkley Rugby Club.
Shipley-born Dudley Hayton, now 68, competed at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal in both the individual road race and the team time trial events.
Since The Principle Trust Children’s Charity was founded in 2011, through generous donations and fundraising support the charity has provided more than 3,600 children and their families with a free week-long respite break. The charity’s aim is to improve the quality of life for children living in poverty or with disabilities. The respite breaks and holidays are proven to have a profoundly positive effect on the health and wellbeing of the child and the family. You can support Simon and Dudley's fundraising effort at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/TheOlympicCycleHome
Tune in to local digital radio station Rombalds Radio on Wednesday 18 August to hear from Simon ahead of the start of their ride from London to Ilkley.