VETERAN cyclist Tom Williamson will be touring around Morocco the hard way to raise money for the British Lung Foundation.
Tom, who is 70, is joining a team of 20 who will be cycling 20 to 44 miles a day in the Morocco 2002 Challenge Cycle Ride, which is taking place from April 27 to May 5. The 162-mile ride over mountain tracks to Marrakech is expected to take about six days and Tom, who is a regular user of Southlands Leisure Centre's health and fitness suite, in Middlesbrough, has stepped up his training in readiness for the event.
Southlands Centre staff are rallying round to help Tom in his bid to raise £2,000 for the British Lung Foundation by giving him the opportunity to hold a sponsored cycling session in the centre's reception area on Friday. Staff will collect donations during the session.
Tom, who competed in time trials and road races until he was in his fifties, said: "Although I've never smoked or drank I have a lung complaint myself - it's just one of those unfortunate things.
"However, I still cycle every day and if this sponsored ride helps raise money for research into lung disease then my efforts will be worthwhile."
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