A Market Drayton builder has spoken of his “exhilarating” experience of cycling alone across Britain in aid of cancer research.
Chris Crideford set off from Land’s End in Cornwall five weeks ago and completed the 980-mile journey to John O’Groats after his wife, Anne, was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago.
Chris, aged 66, of Kilnbank Road, Market Drayton, has so far raised more than £2,000 and is hoping to reach £2,500 through online donations.
He was met in John O’Groats by his wife and son, James, and returned home to a champagne welcome from family and friends.
Chris said: “I left Land’s End in pouring rain and rode all the way up through the Cheddar Gorge in Somerset to Bristol. I wanted to do it on my own because if you’re with somebody, you tend to talk to each other but if you’re alone, you can talk to other people.
“I met a lot of really nice people in the youth hostel and bed and breakfasts where I stayed which restored my faith in human nature.
“A number of them gave me an evening meal and people were really generous.”
Chris, whose sister also had breast cancer five years ago, had spent the last 12 months training for the bike ride despite having a quadruple bypass operation six years ago.
“It was absolutely fantastic to arrive because I’d seen some people do it before and I said to my wife ‘how good must that feel to ride that sort of distance,” he said.
“I was cold and wet through with rain but when I saw Anne down the road, it was brilliant.
“It was such an exhilarating feeling and my wife always thought I would do it because she knew I was very determined.”
Anne, aged 51, who works at Market Drayton Infant School, said she was “tremendously proud” of her husband who had fulfilled a lifelong ambition by cycling across the UK.
“He’s had quite a few congratulation cards from people who think it’s a tremendous feat that he’s done it,” she said.
“We’d just like to say thank you to everyone who has donated to the cause.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so online by visiting www.justgiving.com/crideford.
By Winston Brown
