Cyclist set to bike 300 miles to raise cash for Foundation of Light

Cycling enthusiast Alan McGee, 58, will bike from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean to raise money for the Foundation of Light, which aims to help families across the region.

Alan, from Cleadon, will be part of a team of 40 cyclists who will participate in the four-day-challenge starting on Saturday from Arcachon, near Bordeaux, and finish in Gruissan on Wednesday, June 8.

He has completed a number of similar cycling challenges, including biking from Dublin to Sunderland in 2012 in the ‘Tour de Foundation’, also in aid of North East families and from Pisa to Venice in 2013.

He got the cycling bug though these events and to prepare for his latest feat, Alan recently took part in the Fred Whitton Challenge - a 112-mile cycle around the lake district.

Alan, who will ride 70 miles a day, said: “Although this will be tough, I’ll be thinking about how this money will benefit families across the North East.”

Foundation of Light Event Coordinator, Jemma Garret, welcomed Alan back to the team and highlighted the event as on of the high points of it’s fundraising calendar.

He said: “It’s a tough event, but there’s always a great team spirit and camaraderie on the ride which raises a lot of money for families in need across the region.”

The event is supported by the Grafton Group plc and has seen £1,000 in donations by local companies going towards funding Alan’s gruelling challenge which will see him climb a total of 12,600ft.

Companies which have pledged support for Alan’s challenge include; Valued Accountancy, Lomax Training, Up North Communications, Sedgefield Dental Practice, Bush Nook B&B, Element Teamwear and Profound Services.

He collected his official jersey from Valued Accountancy’s head office in Consett last week and thanked the companies who have offered their support.

Stephen Paul, owner of Value Accountancy said: “We are pleased to be able to help Alan on his journey and wish him a safe trip. It’s for a fantastic cause and will greatly help a lot of families across the North East.”

Follow Alan’s journey on Twitter at @Alanmcgeesay and with the hash tag #Atlantic2med16.