Coronavirus: Hastings man aged 64 to cycle the length of the country in his garden to support care workers

Cliff believes workers providing care in residential homes, or caring for people at home, are the nation’s unsung heroes.

Cliff said: “I support all those who contribute to the NHS and other charities through this crisis, myself having done so. I owe my life to the NHS when it looked extremely unlikely I would survive meningitis, that I suffered in my early 20’s.

However, there is a group of workers that require a charitable fund to assist them, these are our 1.5 million care workers in the UK, contributing to one of the largest workforces, and caring for some of the most vulnerable people in our society, including my mother. For the UK’s care workers, early starts, long hours and mentally draining work are part and parcel of the job.

There is a great disparity about how our care workers are being supported. Our Carers are looking after the most vulnerable people in society and at the same time coping with Covid19.

Our Carers are in as much danger as NHS staff because it is the individuals bodies reaction to the virus that can be so tragic, not who from or where you catch it.

“My challenge is to virtually ride from Land’s End to John o Groats, this while being furloughed and isolating at home.

“My ride will start on Friday April 24 from Land’s End, over 14 days I will ride the 1,017 miles length of Britain, finishing at John o Groats on Thursday May 7.

“My bike is a 1970’s Raleigh Equipe mounted on a LIDL cycle trainer.”

He added: “I am 64 years old with a bit of a dodgy hip. I am a very occasional cyclist, probably going for a ride two or three times a year. Walking Bella our Golden Retriever takes priority. What I am hoping to do may be a bit of a challenge but as our care workers care for all the nation, let the nation care for all of our carers.

Cliff has been hard at training this week ahead of the start of his arduous challenge on Friday April 24.

People can get behind his effort by visiting his Just Giving fund rasing page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/grandadonanoldbike

See also: Local singer gives car park concert to care home residents during lockdown during lockdown