Everybody needs good neighbours! Cyclist races against the clock for neighbours’ charity

A CYCLIST has signed up for a gruelling challenge next week to raise money for a local charity set up by his neighbours, in memory of their daughter.

Local man Paul Winchcombe will take part in a 12-hour time trial in Wales on Sunday 1st July, raising money for Evie’s Gift, the charity set up by Bryan and Patsy Glover, whose daughter, Evie, died in January after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

“This is my way of remembering her, supporting them and helping the charity,” said Paul. “I’ve set myself a target of £1,000 for the charity.”

The event will see Paul attempt to cycle the furthest distance he can within 12-hours. “I have completed a 12-hour time trial previously, two years ago, and the only reason I finished that one was because of the sponsorship,” said Paul.

“It’s a lot of hard work to train for an event like this, especially with a full-time job, which can limit training. I’m not in the first flush of youth, I’m 58, so 12 hours is going to be a challenge. But I have been training hard since the start of the year, and I have cycled around 200 miles a week.

“There’s always a degree of trepidation for an event like this. There will be dark moments around the 7 to 8 hour mark – at the same point in the previous event I did think, ‘How big a mechanical fail do I need to climb off the bike with pride?’ So you don’t undertake a challenge like this lightly.

“I’ve set myself a target of breaking the club record for my age group – I’m the racing secretary for the Chippenham and District Wheelers.”

Evie’s Gift offers support to families whose children have been admitted to hospital with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions. To support Paul’s efforts and the Evie’s Gift charity, visit: www.justgiving.com/fund raising/paulswelsh12hour timetrial