A super-fit 74-year-old bus driver from Baldock is taking on a 187-mile cycle ride to raise funds for his passengers’ social centre.
Ken Geggus, who ferries members to and from the Howard Garden Social and Day Care Centre in Letchworth, hopes to help cover the centre’s shortfall following the loss of a £5,000 North Herts District Council grant.
He will be taking part in the two-day Dulux Trade London Revolution on May 13 and 14 – and he’s been cycling as much as 85 miles a day in training.
Herts County Council driver Ken told the Comet: “I heard that the district council grant was cut, and I said I’d do another ride for Howard Garden. I did one for them two years ago to boost their coffers when they were flooded.
“I’ve always been into sport – swimming, long-distance walking, badminton and so on – and when you reach a certain age, you can change to another.
“For breakfast every morning, come winter or summer, I always have porridge and toast as this sets me up for the day. I suppose I’m lucky to have a good metabolism, and of course I’ve been lucky with no major injuries – and a very understanding wife!”
Howard Garden treasurer Tony Page said: “As we are now looking at alternative methods to raise funds, having someone like Ken do something like this to support the centre is amazing.”
The 187-mile route will take Ken from the Lee Valley south through the North Downs into the Thames Valley, where he will camp overnight at the Windsor racecourse after covering 100 miles.
On the second day, after a good night’s rest, he’ll get back in the saddle for a shorter ride of only 87 miles around the Chiltern Hills and finally Epping Forest.
The Howard Garden Social and Day Care Centre is in Norton Way South, and has been running since 1953.
It is an independent charity and provides companionship, hot meals and activities for more than 100 older people.
But Tony said last month that the loss of an annual £5,000 grant from North Herts District Council threatened the centre’s future.
Ken set an initial target of raising £500 for the centre, and had received donations totalling £520 as the Comet went to press last night.
He said: “It’s thanks to donations that we have served for the last 60 years, and look forward to the next 60 ahead.”
To support Ken, see everyclick.com/kensduluxtrade.
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