A Melksham man has raised £10,000 for a children’s charity through a series of fundraising events, including an online backgammon tournament and a charity cycle ride to Weymouth.
Funds were raised for Stepping Stones, based in Trowbridge, which supports babies and children up to the age of four from across the local area through therapy and developmental support.
Ian Hedges began fundraising for the charity last July, ahead of a cycle ride from Melksham to Weymouth in September.
Following the ride, he launched an online backgammon tournament, the ‘Hedgehogs Backgammon Charity Challenge’, which has attracted some of the world’s leading players and is set to conclude next month.
“The money that has come in has just been absolutely incredible,” said Ian. “It must be so surreal for Stepping Stones because they are a nursery in west Wiltshire but they are now known all over the world.
“By the time we get to July, we would have probably raised £12,000 or £14,000 and that is major money.”
Ian had planned to cycle from Melksham to Land’s End later this year. However, an injury picked up during his last charity ride has changed those plans.
“I am currently rehabilitating a muscle injury in my leg,” he said. “I plan to do some charity cycles but I think I will mainly focus on the online backgammon tournaments.”
Ian is set to host another online backgammon competition starting in March.
Pictured: Ian Hedges with his backgammon set
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