A Douglas firefighter will be blazing a trail as he cycles 500 miles in five days.
Steve Brearley, aged 51, of Tromode, is taking part in the Ride of Britain next week, cycling from Edinburgh’s Holyrood Palace to the Tower of London.
Steve, who served in the The Queen’s Royal Husssars regiment of the British Army for 15 years, is raising money for SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen’s Families Association).
‘I am really looking forward to the challenge of cycling through cities and the various terrain en route for what is a worthy cause,’ he said.
‘I have been training for the last four months, steadily building up the mileage and I have received good advice from Rob Holden and Elliot Baxter to help with my training. Also, Bikestyle have been a great help with equipment and gear.’
Steve has been a firefighter since 2002 and is a member of White Watch, based at Douglas fire station. He will leave Holyrood Palace on Wednesday to cycle 108 miles to Newcastle. Day two is 102 miles, taking in part of the Tour de France route to Harrogate.
The next day ends in Newark on Trent after 110 miles, followed by 100 miles to Cambridge. The final day is 80 miles, 60 per cent of which is on the Tour de France route.
This year the event finishes at the Tower of London as part of its First World War commemoration, which will see 888,246 ceramic poppies being placed in the Tower’s moat – one for every death in the British forces in the war.
Steve is no stranger to challenges - he was part of the 10 man team that set the new world record for climbing a ladder for 24 hours. And he helped break the eight hour record in July 2012, raising £16,000 for local charities.
So far he has raised about £1,100 for SSAFA, which provides lifelong support to anyone who is serving or has served in the Armed Forces, and their families.
Each year staff and volunteers provide practical, emotional and financial support for more than 50,000 people, from D-Day veterans to families of soldiers wounded in Afghanistan.
To make a donation, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SteveBrearley or make a pledge by calling Steve on 453072.