MEMBERS of a local cycling club are to get on their bikes for local boy Ben Parkinson - and help the former Paratrooper move closer to some new wheels of his own.
The Doncaster Wheelers will take to the region's roads on Sunday, November 18, in a ride devoted to our 'Help Brave Ben' appeal.
We want to donate four wheels - not just two - to 23-year-old Ben who lost both of his legs and suffered more than 30
horrific injuries in an Afghanistan landmine blast last year.
A fully modified Kia Sedona people carrier, which should make life in the long-term that little bit easier, is waiting to be handed over to his family once our fundraising target is matched. And the efforts of Doncaster's longest running cycle club 'wheely' promises to make further inroads into the appeal.
Wheelers' social secretary and club sponsor Martin Maltby, the owner of Don Valley Cycles on Chequer Road, said the event was an opportunity to support our campaign - and also say thank you to a regular rider.
"It's quite a normal kind of distance to ride on a Sunday morning but we've decided to dedicate the day to Ben Parkinson and his family," said the former Great Britain representative.
"Ben's father Chris is a member of the club and used to be one of the better riders in the country - this is our way of repaying his support. We're just chipping in trying to do what we can to help."
The 100km ride will start at Doncaster Library, Waterdale, at 9am and follow a route towards Scunthorpe, through Laughton Forest, and returning via Gainsborough, Retford and Bawtry.
Anyone interested in supporting the ride by making a donation, or taking part in the event, should contact Martin on (01302) 769531.
The Free Press has teamed up with F.Cross & Son Kia Ltd, of Doncaster Road in Hatfield, to supply Ben and his family with a Kia Sedona people carrier - once our fundraising appeal motors to its target. And staff at the dealership have now confirmed the lengths - and heights - they will go to in support of our campaign. Four employees will bungee jump from the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge on Sunday, November 25.
* To make a donation to the Benjamin James Parkinson Trust visit the Doncaster branch of Yorkshire Bank on St Sepulchre Gate. Cheques can be made payable to 'Ben Parkinson' or 'Ben Parkinson Trust'. Cheques can be sent to PO Box 17, 19 St Sepulchre Gate, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN1 1SJ. If you have a fundraiser planned you can call the Free Press for pictures and publicity on (01302) 347260
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