A CYCLIST is gearing up for a triple challenge which will involve riding a total of 75 miles between holiday parks in Herefordshire and the Welsh borders.

Tony, from Sutton Coldfield, is planning his fund raiser over the August Bank holiday weekend. It will assist people in the region who have been left debilitated after experiencing a stroke, the major cause of disability in the UK.

Tony has been holidaying in North Herefordshire at Pearl Lake Country Holiday Park for nearly a decade and when fellow holiday home owner and friend Bill Worwood from Halesowen suffered a stroke he was devastated.

Tony said: “I hatched a plan to help in the form of The Three Parks Challenge. It involves cycling around all three holiday sites that are owned and run by Discover Parks in and over the County border. There’ll be plenty of support along the way with other park members waving banners, rattling buckets and providing me with refreshments.

"During the third lockdown I refurbished my old 1978 Claud Butler bicycle which I’ll be riding the last 25 miles. All proceeds raised will go to the Dudley Stroke Association who continue to play a vital role in assisting my good friend Bill Worwood after his stroke last Autumn."

Tony admitted he’ll be digging deep both physically and mentally in order to complete the ride three times which will be a total of 75 miles.

Discover Parks owner Glenn Jones is fully supportive of the challenge and impressed with Tony’s commitment to the cause.

He said: "Carol and Bill are well known popular people at Pearl Lake so it’s great to see how everyone is pulling out all the stops for this vital cause, we’ve even designed a special cycling jersey for him.

"It’s been difficult enough with the covid lockdowns preventing everyone getting together, so we all feel for them as they come to terms with Bill’s disabilities. What Tony is doing is epic and shows how strong the community spirit is here on park."

Bill’s wife Carol Worwood said without the Dudley Stroke Association she’d have struggled to keep positive.

“They were a lifeline from the start and I really don't know what we would have done without them. We have had so much support from everyone and it really makes a difference. Fellow home owner Tony is a great example of what the people are like at Pearl Lake Holiday Park and we cannot wait to be able to stay there again."

Dudley Stroke Association Manager Laura Martin thanked Tony.

She said: “As a small charity any funds raised go a long way in supporting us to continue to offer our services and support to people and families affected by stroke. Like all small charities the last 18 months have been particularly challenging for us and we’re working hard to reopen fully. With the support of Tony through his fundraising this will be an easier task for us."

The Three Parks Challenge will take place on August 29th starting at 9am from Pearl Lake Holiday Park in Shobdon. If you would like to donate to Tony’s fundraiser follow his link.