IT WON’T be an easy ride for two city bikers preparing to go full throttle to raise money for charity.
Steve Whiteley and Paul Owen are revving up to tackle The Iron Butt challenge this weekend to fundraise for two causes close to their hearts – Myton Hopice and The Alzheimer’s Society.
The challenge will see the two friends attempt to travel 1,000 miles across the country in less that 24 hours.
Departing Coventry at 4am on Sunday (May 31) the pair will head to the Scottish Highlands and, on clocking 525 miles, will turn around and head back home – logging all petrol stops and checking in with witnesses to verify their journey.
Steve and Paul met through mutual friends 10 years ago, connecting over their shared interest in motorbikes.
Both members of the Birmingham and Coventry Advanced Motocycle groups, Steve explained they saw The Iron Butt challenge not only as a mark of their biking skills, but as the perfect opportunity to raise money in memory of and in dedication to their family members.
After losing his father to Motor Neurone disease, butcher Steve – owner of A Whiteley & Sons family butchers in Potters Green – has elected to donate his sponsorship money to the Myton Hospice which cared for his father in his last days.
Though retired, Paul dedicates his free time to volunteering with the Warwickshire Free Wheelers – delivering blood and other essentials between local hospitals.
Over the last few years, Paul saw the charity ride as the perfect opportunity to thank the The Alzheimer’s Society for providing ‘invaluable help and support’ to him and his mother, who suffers from Dementia.
Between them, the pair have already raised over £1,500, but are hoping to have smashed their targets by the time they return on Sunday evening.
To find out more about Paul and Steve’s fundraising, head to their Just Giving pages at www.justgiving.com/stephen-whiteley1 and www.justgiving.com/Paul-Owen17/
