So at nearly 45 years of age I have decided to take on a massive challenge and I will be cycling the length of Britain on the famous “LEJOG” bike ride (Lands End to John O’Groats). I’ll be doing this with one of my great friends “Mark Mcevoy” who I roped into this just a few weeks ago.

Setting off on the 25th June 2023 from Lands end in Cornwall we will be cycling the 1000 miles to John O’Groats at the most northerly point of Scotland. This will involve long days in the saddle every day. Britain is a very Hilly place and apart from the mammoth distance we will be working our legs hard and climbing our bikes up Hills totalling over 57,000 ft of elevation (Weighing 100kg I’m designed to go down hills, not up them 😩) 

The challenge will take us 14 days to complete (Cycling around 60-80 miles a day) and before anyone asks, our bikes do not have an engine, a motor or any kind of Batteries. It’s just pure “Morris and Macka” Leg Power.

This is a huge task for me personally as considering only 4 years ago I could barely ride more than 10 miles without stopping for Cake and Coffee. With the help of many cycling friends and their huge encouragement and support, I managed to get into Road Cycling and get myself fit. Let’s just hope I am fit enough for this mammoth challenge but I know Macka will be there every step of the way.

I am doing the challenge as a test for myself but I’ve been asked by many if I’m supporting a charity and after careful consideration I’ve decided to do the ride to help a small local Animal Rescue Charity in Horsham called “Holbrook Animal Rescue” 

Holbrook Animal Rescue is a family run animal rescue charity based in Horsham, West Sussex. It is run by Laura and Cliff Santini alongside a group of dedicated volunteers. They receive no official funding and rely solely on donations.

Founded nearly 30 years ago the rescue was set up to help abandoned and unwanted animals to find a safe place to call home. Unlike many other rescues, the dogs aren't kept in kennels. They sleep in the house and are free to run and play in the house, garden and fields. 

Sadly the rescue will need to relocate shortly to make way for a major new housing development. Build has already commenced for the 2,700-home development to the north of Horsham and the search for a new location is underway.

Unfortunately the charity does not own the land on which the rescue is built and In order to continue the essential rehoming work, it needs our help to raise the funds to build a new rescue centre. Their target is to raise £100,000 but without the support of the community and fundraising such as this, the future is uncertain. We need your help to continue to offer a safe, warm home for the animals for years to come. 

So if you would like to help us to stay “positive” on those tough days in the saddle when it’s pouring with Rain, when were battling that strong headwind or our bums are so sore that we can barely sit down then please pop a donation on our just giving page. Just when we think we can’t take anymore we will think of the amazing work Laura and Cliff do day in, day out and that should hopefully see us to the finish line. 

Thanks so much for your kind and generous support! I know that everyone at Holbrook Animal Rescue will hugely appreciate every single penny! 

Our Training is already well underway and we are very lucky that our close group of cycling friends are all helping us rack up the miles with as much riding as we can do on our days off at home. Even whilst away with work, I’m using as much time as possible to train by Cycling locally, doing spin classes or using the gym bikes to keep my legs turning.

Thanks again for your support & Generosity

Andy and Mark