A PETERSFIELD cyclist is attempting to ride nearly 500 miles in six days to raise money for charity in memory of his mother.
Marion ‘Peggy’ Bird suffered from dementia, and died on April 16, after six months in Steep Nursing Home in Tilmore Road.
Now her son, Chris Bird, of Bannerman Road, is to ride from the most westerly point in England, Land’s End, to the most easterly, Ness Point at Lowestoft, setting off on May 13.
Systems analyst consultant Chris (62) retired at the beginning of last month, although he is still a director of the human resources company he founded, Fulmarus.
The former Portsmouth Polytechnic student said: “At Steep House, my mother was cared for in a comfortable, secure environment, and it would be nice to acknowledge this and hopefully make a difference to the other residents living there.
“Over the past year I watched my mother decline due to the degenerative effects of dementia, culminating with her recent passing.
“So I thought that it would be poignant to raise funds in her memory for Dementia UK to help them with their work with sufferers from this condition.
“There will be some sacrifices that I will have to make on the way, like missing the Royal Wedding and the FA Cup Final, so it’s going to be difficult.
“In addition, any money raised will be matched by my company, Fulmarus.
“An equivalent donation will also be made to the Steep House Nursing Home Residents Fund, which provides additional treats and items of interest, such as an aviary, for the residents to enjoy.
“In particular, the money raised for Steep House will be going towards a Vecta Mobile Sensory Unit, which will be used principally for stimulating bed-ridden residents, although the other residents will benefit from it too.”
To sponsor Chris on his cycle challenge, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chris-bird11