Children get on their bikes with Health Mentor Brian

Hundreds of primary schoolchildren and their parents will get on their bikes to raise money for their own sports equipment after being challenged by Evolve Health Mentor Brian Padden.

Brian, 48, threw down the gauntlet to pupils at Nessfield Primary in Keighley, West Yorkshire where each year group aims to ride 130 miles between them round the playground on June 29.

During the previous weekend, Brian will cycle five marathons in three days across the Yorkshire Dales, totalling 130 miles, for Cancer Research UK because cancer has taken too many of his loved ones.

Brian said: “I have never had cancer, but I have had a scare, and I know only too well the devastation it causes the patients and their families.

“My own family has been cursed with cancer and I have lost both parents, several aunts and uncles and have family members of my generation who have successfully battled it.”

Brian hopes more children will get fit and gain a love of cycling through his invitation to ride their bike ‘marathon’ in the playground, using their own bikes and scooters.

“Part of the inspiration for the children to get fit is to lead a healthy lifestyle as a default setting, and thereby reduce the chances of getting cancers and other diseases,” Brian said.

The pupils will raise money for Tagtivat8 kits – a form of rugby game for learning maths, English and spelling.

Brian’s own love of cycling was only born two years ago when the Tour de France passed through Yorkshire. “The race inspired me and I got on a bike for the first time in 30 years. It’s a fantastic sport for people like me who used to be a keen runner but now struggle to run the distance.”

He will cycle 50 miles from Nessfield School in Keighley for Hawes in Wensleydale on Friday, June 24. The following day he will complete 50 miles to Grassington in Wharfedale before cycling 30 miles back to Nessfield on the Sunday.

Brian hopes other West Yorkshire Health Mentors might join him for all or part of day one and help inspire the children to get fitter. To sponsor Brian’s cycle go to https://www.justgiving.com/ThePeddlingPaddy