MOST people when they see the big 65 on the horizon start plotting their course to the Post Office to collect their pension, but one Wokingham man is preparing a slightly longer journey than that.
To mark his birthday milestone, community stalwart Stan Hetherington is preparing to undertake a cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats – 960 miles in total.
And there is a personal reason for wanting to undertake the epic trek, which will see his pedal for up to 100 miles day. He wants to raise £1,920 – £2 a mile – for the work of Headway Thames Valley, a charity that helped his daughter Faye when she had a brain injury.
Five years ago this month, and six months after she had started her first job after university, Faye was jogging in London when she fell and injured herself on the pavement, causing a brain injury in the process.
She has now recovered and returned to full-time work.
And last year she even managed to run the London Marathon.
Mr Hetherington said: “Her journey to today has been difficult. She was off work for two years.
“She then managed to start doing a few hours work each week from home. That built into doing a few hours a week for Topshop (thank you Topshop for being such an understanding employer).
“Those hours increased bit-by-bit until she felt able to apply for full-time work.”
And for the past 18 months, Faye has been working for marketing and intelligence agency Proximity.
“Faye managed to get to where she is today thanks to the help of a lot of people and organisations, including doctors in London, Reading and Wokingham,” Mr Hetherington added. “Family and friends all provide wonderful help and assistance but the organisation which in my view made the biggest difference was Headway Thames Valley.”
Now he is looking to support their work with his biggest challenge to date, topping two years ago when he walked the length of Hadrian’s Wall.
“I have undertaken a few fundraising activities for Headway but this is my biggest-ever challenge,” Mr Hetherington said.
“I am 65 later this month and I have always enjoyed cycling so I gave some thought to what the best UK based cycling challenge is and the answer was Land’s End to John O’Groats.
“If I don’t get lost it is 960 miles. I will just be doing 80 to 100 miles a day and hopefully meeting lots of lovely people along the way.”
And the preparations have already begun for the keen cyclist who launched the Wokingham Bikeathon and the Wokingham Walk, the Wokingham Music Club and also launched the original Wokingham Open Air Cinema. And he is also the brains behind the annual Wokingham Festival which will return to Cantley Park this August.
Mr Hetherington is already undertaking practise laps getting him saddle ready for May’s launch. And, no doubt, checking out the quickest route to the Post Office.
Mr Hetherington has already attracted around a fifth of his £1,920 target for Headway, but would welcome more.
To get behind his ride and donate, log on to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stan-lejog
