A group of cyclists is aiming to raise £10,000 for Bolton Lads and Girls Club as part of a charity bike ride.
Brandon Pilling rides 10,000 miles a year on his bike.
Now, the 61-year-old is going to ride another 625 alongside the Slovenia Cycle Challenge Team in aid of the Bolton Lads & Girls Club.
The group of 24 will set off on Saturday, June 8, to ride for eight days from Venice through the Dolomites mountain range via Austria and on to the mountains of Slovenia.
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The gruelling route will include Italy’s Monte Zoncolan, which has been called one of the most demanding climbs in road bike racing.
The money will be going towards helping support the club’s mental health workshops and support for young people.
More than £8,000 has already been raised through JustGiving – as the team target £10,000.
Earlier this year, the club said it would be fighting to save its counselling service as it struggled to raise money.
After running took its toll on his knees, Brandon decided to get in the saddle for a charity bike ride 16 years ago.
A fundraiser by blood, he became hooked – subsequently going on to ride from John O’Groats to Lands End, among other rides. Now, he does a charity ride with a group every two years.
He said: “My granddad used to donate money to the Lads Club, when it was in Bolton on Bark Street, then my father picked that up and I picked it up off him, to be honest.
“I’ve been on the board of Bolton Lads and Girls’ Club for ten years. Our mantra was always if you can’t help the kids in your hometown then who can you help?
“Looking after your own kids is the best thing you can do.”
The ride is more than 1,000km in distance, or around 625 miles.
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Brandon added: “I do 10,000 miles a year on the bike, but this is going to be hard. It’s going to be very hard.
“625 miles distance with 53,000ft [16,325m] of climbing. 29,000ft is Everest. We’re almost doing Everest twice.”
Despite the challenge ahead, Brandon knows how important the money is to the Lads’ and Girls’ Club.
He added: “It’s about young people being given the best opportunity they can and I think society’s getting tougher and tougher – tougher and tougher on young people.
“More education goes on outside of school than inside school these days. Having a place – a controlled environment – where people can learn and feel safe. It’s a no brainer for me.”
If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.
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