Lee Hawkins bike ride

A kind hearted fundraiser from Exeter is hoping to pedal up the pounds for CLIC Sargent by taking on a gruelling endurance challenge.

Lee Hawkins, 38, from Woodbury will be one of over 1000 riders taking part in The Exmoor Beast Cycle Challenge. He will be taking on the 100 kilometres (approximately 70 miles) route, which takes place on Sunday 2nd November starting at Wimbaball Lake, to raise money for children with cancer.

Lee, who works for a local insurance company, chose the cause after hearing how a colleague’s son is being supported by the Charity during his illness.  While he undergoes treatment at Bristol Children’s Hospital, his family are staying at CLIC House in Freemantle Square - one of CLIC Sargent’s seven homes from home.  These offer families somewhere comfortable to stay for free, close to their child while they undergo treatment in specialist cancer units, which are often miles away from home.  These homes ease the financial burden and emotional strain for families going through the most difficult of times.

Lee, who has only recently taken up road cycling, said he is looking forward to the challenge.

“Training has been underway for a good few weeks now and I have plenty of miles already under my belt,” he said.  “My personal target is to complete the 70 miles in five to six hours with the aim of raising £500, as  my employers will match anything I raise up to that figure!

“It is a fantastic cause and it’s a great motivator to know every penny I raise will be used to help CLIC Sargent continue it’s valuable work supporting the ten families that every day in the UK are told the devastating news their child has cancer.”

If you would like to sponsor Lee and help raise much needed funds for children and young people with cancer you can make a donation by visiting: http://www.justgiving.com/leeh_exmoorbeast.