A GRANDFATHER is taking part in a 1,000-mile charity bike ride from John O’Groats to Lands End.
Chris Wakefield, 67, (pictured) a retired chemical engineer, of Lymm, hopes to raise £1,000 for the Marine Conservation charity.
He is completing the ride with 600 other cyclists as part of the Ride Across Britain challenge, and will complete about 120 miles a day.
Chris said: “In 1957 my sister died from polio caught through swimming in sewage polluted seawater. As a result, my parents founded a charity that lobbied successfully for UK implementation of the European Bathing Water Directive.
“They also started what has now become the Good Beach Guide.”
His parents merged their charity with the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), which lobbies for clean seawater and the protection of marine life.
Chris said: “Last year, the MCS featured on Panorama during which the BBC repeated a 1957 interview with my parents. This was a moving experience for me and encouraged me to do something in their memory by raising money for a cause to which they devoted a large part of their lives.
“The programme highlighted the problems that still exist and attitudes that have not changed.”
The bike ride is expected to take about 9 days. Anyone who would like to donate should visit www.justgiving.com/chris-wakefield
