A Brent Knoll resident has raised more than £8,000 for charity so far by cycling 2,800 miles across America – with 200 miles remaining to get to the finish line.
As Burnham-On-Sea.com reported here, Andy Manning is embarking on the incredible cycling challenge to raise funds for research charity Cure Parkinson’s.
After completing 2,800 miles by last night, Friday April 25th, he said he’s on track to complete the remaining 200 miles on Monday.
He told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We have seen a real variety and change in scenery, going through around 1,000 miles of arid, desert scenery in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, to the lush green countryside of east Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.”
“Highlights for me have been the great, very friendly people we have met, the wildlife- from coyotes and road runners to alligators, otters and owls, and the wild west history- from Yuma prison, Tombstone and the OK corral, and Columbus where Pancho Villa briefly invaded the USA in 1916.”
“It has been a challenge some days to be motivated to cycle, but this is overcome by the support of the great bunch of people I am cycling with, the cause I am cycling for, the privilege of having this opportunity, and, as one of my oldest friends, and my wife have said, by being stubborn! I prefer to call it dogged determination!”
He is taking on the challenge in honour of his close friend, Julie Evans, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019.
Andy set off on Friday 7th March from San Diego in California. He hopes to raise £9,000 with this challenge, as well as vital awareness about Parkinson’s. Local MP Tessa Munt has given her support to him.
Andy is no stranger to endurance cycling, having previously completed the Land’s End to John O’Groats route, but 3,000 miles across America is a hugely tough challenge.
Cure Parkinson’s says it is extremely grateful to Andy and Julie for raising funds in support of our vital Parkinson’s research. Helen Matthews, CEO of Cure Parkinson’s, adds: “Fundraising support is absolutely critical for the charity to enable us to achieve our goal. We aim to cure Parkinson’s and the only way we will do this is through the help of all our incredible supporters – it’s as simple as that!”
To donate to Andy’s cycling challenge, click here.
