Melksham man completes cycle to Weymouth for children’s charity

A local man, who did not own a bike until June this year, has raised £4,000 for a children’s charity by cycling from Melksham to Weymouth.

Ian Hedges set off at 7.45am on 27th September to cycle 75 miles to Weymouth, raising over £4,000 for Stepping Stones in Trowbridge, which supports babies and children aged up to four years from across the local area through therapy and developmental support.

He said, “I had an injury in my right leg and rain was looming on the day. The ride itself was always going to be a struggle, and when the rain hit over Shaftesbury it was always going to be tough. But after five hours and 45 minutes of cycling, I made it to the Sealife Centre and closed the curtain on this epic adventure.”

Earlier this year, Ian did not own a bike; however, since June, he had been cycling three or four times a week at 5.30am, completing 50km before work.

He said, “I had actually completed this ride six weeks earlier and felt it would be no particular challenge. Having trained so hard, I was totally ready. I feel like this has been the privilege of my life to help Stepping Stones, but in doing this I have been able to make my family proud, and that is something that I cannot put a price on.”

As well as taking on the challenge for charity, Ian had encountered a few personal obstacles along the way, including a leg injury, Covid, and family bereavement, which he says added to his determination to succeed.

“I undertook this ride at a point of personal tragedy,” he said. “My Nan had recently died, aged 103, and at the same time, my father, who is in the late stages of Alzheimer’s, was moved into a permanent residential home.

“I found cycling quite by accident and took this charity mission on without really knowing why, other than wanting to do some good. What this cycle has come to represent for me, though, is far greater than anything I could have hoped to achieve. I feel like I have made some kind of peace with the unfairness of what has happened to my family. I have become healthier both in mind and body whilst finding a way to do something that I am truly passionate about.

“At this time of grief, I was able to connect with my community and turn a negative situation into something so positive. The outpouring of love for this event and support from so many friends, both old and new, has been an unexpected gift.

“With 16 businesses offering me their support and sponsorship, it feels like this ride has taken on new meaning. The support from the local businesses, though, has been the most unexpected thing. So many people have given their support through money, football shirts, chips, cakes, you name it! I feel like they have been as invested in me as they have in the charity, and in return I have become invested in them. These companies absolutely deserve the credit for making this project a success.”

The challenge doesn’t stop there. Next year, Ian will embark on a 250-mile cycle from Melksham to Land’s End in Cornwall.