A MAN from Bratton has embarked on a ‘700 miles in seven day’ cycling challenge to raise money for three charities that are close to his heart.
Stewart Renfrew celebrates his 70th birthday this June and has no plans to take it easy, in fact he will be cycling 700 miles through France in seven days to raise money for CLIC Sargent, The Down’s Syndrome Association and the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation.
The ‘700@7in7’ challenge was inspired by his grand-daughter Fabienne who has Down’s syndrome and acute lymphatic leukaemia.
Stewart said, “Five years ago our granddaughter, Fabienne, was born. She is a fabulous, fun-loving, warm girl who has faced an incredible variety of hurdles in her short life. I will turn 70 on 30th June and wish to raise funds for charities which provide help in circumstances similar to Fabienne’s, in the hope that other children and their families may receive appropriate support.
“It was only after retirement I dreamt up the idea of cycling 700 miles at age 70 in 7 days one evening several years ago. I like a challenge and it seems that my character dictates that the more impossible it seems, the more likely I am to achieve it: however, there are, of course limits to what is possible! I thought it was both a possible and a difficult target, therefore it had to be attempted. I hoped that it would help me grow younger again, as well! I dubbed the challenge ‘700@70in7’.
“Fortunately, it has been a mild winter, and throughout I have, sometimes, with long intervals between, done the occasional long-distance ride – for instance, to the other side of Nailsea and back, on a not-too-cold day of sunshine in January. However, it is only in the last few weeks that I have really ramped up my training; all rides from and to home in Bratton – 109 miles to Sandbanks, on the Dorset coast, and back (too cold for a swim), 76 miles Cirencester, Corsham, 108 miles around and about the local area and 85 miles, in strengthening, gusty winds, through, amongst other places Trowbridge, Mells, Cheddar, Wells, Shepton Mallet, Frome and Warminster. I also recently completed the Lionheart Sportive which was part of my training.
“Despite all the preparation, the 700@70in7 is, indeed, a tough challenge, but I want to raise funds for charities which help other youngsters with medical and other problems, similar to those suffered by my grand-daughter, Fabienne. Those charities’ actions also help to relieve some of the stress on those children’s parents, who are often in despair at the plight of their offspring who are destined to grow up with severe disadvantages in comparison to their peers.
“Also, I want to prove that us old codgers are not necessarily ‘past it’. Indeed, we can perhaps do more than many youngsters, though I still need to apply for a new driving licence because I am coming up to 70, and travel insurance is getting more expensive because of my age!
“Fabienne attends a mainstream junior school where she is very popular with her fellow pupils and with the teachers, just as she is with her neighbours, extended family and other friends. Her energetic enthusiasm and joyousness brings sunshine to all their lives and is an inspiration to others to forget their relatively minor tribulations.”
You can donate by visiting www.justgiving.com/Stewart-Renfrew-CLIC-Sargent
