A COLLEGE caretaker will be pedalling at the double as he joins his cycling club on an epic ride to raise funds for injured servicemen.
Billy McMeekin, who helps keep Darlington College operating smoothly, will be among a pack of Ferryhill Wheelers making a gruelling coast-to-coast trek in aid of Help for Heroes in July.
A keen cyclist for the past 51 years, he will join a two-day club ride from Ferryhill to Morecambe and back via Saltburn and the Phoenix House Recovery Centre, Catterick Garrison, a distance of 300 miles including 6,000m of climb.
The aim is to raise as much money as possible for Help for Heroes, a charity that aims to provide better facilities for British servicemen and women who have been wounded or injured in the line of duty.
Phoenix House Recovery Centre, Catterick, is run by Help for Heroes and supported by the Royal British Legion to form part of the Defence Recovery Capability.
The centre aims to inspire those who have been wounded, injured or become sick while serving their country enabling them to lead active, independent and fulfilling lives.
Specially designed and constructed to offer the very best recovery atmosphere, it has 46 single en-suite bedrooms, four family suites, an arts and craft room, as well as training, presentation and IT suites, along with a gym with specialist equipment, a café and social areas.
“We wanted to do something momentous as it is the 90th anniversary of the club and this is a very good cause,” said Bill, who has worked at Darlington College for the past 12 years.
“I try and ride every day and at weekends complete 40-50 miles on the Saturday and 70-80 miles on a Sunday. We are all looking forward to some great roads and decent banter.”
Anyone wanting to support the venture should visit www.justgiving.com/Ferryhill-Wheelers.