The boss of a Worcester car firm will be swapping engines for
pedal power when he takes on an epic bike challenge across New
Zealand next year.
John Bentley, Dealer Principal of Startin Honda in Bromyard
Road, Worcester, is planning on cycling almost 1,000 miles to raise
funds for St Richard's Hospice.
John, 65, is a keen cyclist who has been clocking up the miles
since he was 14 and completed his first tour of South West England.
Since then he has introduced his wife and four sons to the joys of
biking and taken on many long distance trips riding tandems and
solo.
John will ride from Napier on North Island down to Wellington,
take the ferry over to South Island, cycle down to Christchurch and
over the Southern Alps to Queenstown where his eldest son, Dan,
lives with his wife Nichola and two daughters.
He will be setting off on 6th February, 2012 and hopes to
complete the trip in three to four weeks.
John said, "I will be completing the trip on my own and apart
from the mental challenge probably the toughest part will be going
over parts of the Southern Alps on the road from Christchurch to
Queenstown via Lake Tekapo and within 20 miles of Mount Cook, but
not over the top! I've driven the road many times so know how long
and steep the gradients are."
He added, "Some parts of the south east coast of North Island
are fairly remote so I will be taking a solo tent and camping gear
with me so I can stop when and where I want to. At other times I
will find cabins in campgrounds and farmstay Bed and Breakfasts. I
have already shipped my trusty Dawes Galaxy over and it's waiting
at a friend's house."
Over the years John has worked closely with St Richard's through
his business on several fundraising car raffles and says he has a
huge respect for the amazing work they do.
Tricia Cavell, St Richard's Fundraising Director said, "John and
Startin Honda have been fantastic supporters of the hospice and we
are thrilled he has decided to raise funds for our care on this
bike challenge. It sounds a fantastic but tough trip and we hope
his has the most memorable journey of his life in all the right
ways!"
To sponsor John go to http://www.justgiving.com/John-Bentley
St Richard's Hospice provides free specialist palliative care
for patients living with cancer and other life-threatening
illnesses and supports their families. Each year the hospice team
supports over 2,200 patients and family members in
Worcestershire.
Patients are cared for in Day Hospice, the 16-bed In-patient
Unit or in their own homes by a specialist professional team as
well as many trained volunteers.
In the In-patient Unit specialist staff are on hand 24 hours a
day to manage patients' symptoms and where, if they so choose,
patients may spend the last few days of life in comfort and
dignity. St Richard's is grateful for all donations towards the
£5.4m they need to raise this year to continue their
work.