'Thank you' - South Tyneside cyclists complete 140-mile charity ride
South Tyneside cyclists complete charity ride from Cumbria to the North East - here’s how much they raised.
A trio of intrepid South Tyneside cyclists who got on their bikes to fundraise have donated over £3,000 to help young people enjoy summer activities and outings.
Husband and wife Jim and Maria Frazer and friend Marton Kinlen rode 140 miles from Cumbria to South Shields in just three days in April and into May.
Retired primary school headteachers Jim, 79, and Maria, 70, and former HGV driver Martin, 73, aimed to raise money to boost children’s holiday fun and games.
More than £3k raised
And they have done just that – with their cheque for £3,072.80 being handed over just in time for the start of the long school break.
It has been given to the churches of St Gregory’s at the Nook. St Oswald’s at Whiteleas, and Sacred Heart RC in Boldon Colliery, known collectively as GOSHOG, who are now distributing the spoils.
Maria said: “For the last few years, GOSHOG has been raising money to improve the lives of the people in the local community.
“This season’s aim was to focus on young people so that activities and outings can be funded to help families through the long school break.
“We agreed to get on our bikes and pedal for pounds to drop into the kitty.
“We hope that this happiness will be felt too by the young people who will benefit from the money raised – over £3,000 – to bring joy to their summer break.
‘Thank you’
“Thank you, kind people of South Shields and Boldon.”
The riders undertook their challenge by starting at namesake St Gregory The Great Catholic Church in Workington.
They named their ride the G2G – or Gregory to Gregory – and reached the starting point by taking their bikes by train to Cumbria.
The group then set off on a route which combined the accepted Coast to Coast and Hadrian’s Cycle Way.
During their adventure, they stayed overnight by lake and journeyed through the northern Lake District to the Eden Valley.
On the final day, they were met at Newcastle Quayside by a group of Turkish friends from the city’s Dialogue Society, a charity which advances social cohesion by connecting communities.
Together, the expanded group rode back to their home at St Gregory’s Church.