Lancaster cyclist's charity boost

Ed Currie, a customer service officer for the Royal Bank of Scotland, took part in a 500 mile cycling challenge, from London to Edinburgh for Sports Relief.

Ed took part in the five day challenge with colleague Dave Parker and decided to take part as Royal Bank of Scotland became Sport Relief’s financial partner, committing to raise more than £1m for the charity.

Locally Ed’s team raised more than £1,000 but that challenge was not enough for the 49-year-old who cycles to work in Lancaster and Garstang every day.

Ed also took part in a bikeathon at Natwest on Church Street to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

He along with other colleagues raised more than £500 by cycling for seven hours straight in store.

Michelle White, Teenage Cancer Trust regional fundraiser said, “We’ve been so impressed with the incredible enthusiasm of Natwest in Lancaster, and we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part. This money will go towards desperately needed services for local young people with cancer.”

In total Ed has helped fundraise more than £1,000 for both challenges and is making his family along with his daughter, Caitlin Currie, very proud.

Caitlin, a ten-year-old Scotforth Primary School pupil, could not wait to tell everyone her dad was cycling 100 miles a day between September 14-18 for Sports Relief. Ed said: “I have had a lot of support from my family, Caitlin has been handing out flyers where we live on Yealand Drive, we have a good community spirit there. These challenges have been very personal to me and to raise that much makes it worthwhile.

“The hardest part during the Sport Relief challenge was when I twisted my knee on day two, but I carried on because I knew the next day we were half way through.

“It was hard work, they were long days but we knew we could do it. I didn’t do much training as I cycle to work everyday, which is round about 20 miles. Afterwards I didn’t want to go into work on Monday, I wanted to go cycling again.”

The dad-of-two is not planning on taking part in any challenges anytime soon but hasn’t ruled it out for the future.