CYCLISTS taking part in a major Vietnam to Cambodia Challenge later this year will be paving the way a bit closer to home with a sponsored spinathon.

Both events are in aid of Nightingale House Hospice with the spinathon being organised by DW Fitness at Plas Coch in Wrexham in June.

A total of 22 fundraisers will be cycling 382 km from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to Anghor Wat in Cambodia in November.

Amongst them will be DW Fitness member 69-year-old James Williams from Wrexham who will be 70 when he takes on the challenge of a lifetime. He was having a coffee in the Hospice café Caffi Cwtch when he saw the poster promoting the cycle challenge and decided he wanted to take part.

To support him, DW Fitness are inviting members and non-members to come and join in on Saturday, June 1 from 8am to 8pm to collectively cycle the equivalent 383km distance `from Vietnam to Cambodia' on spinning bikes. During the 12 hour sponsored event at the fitness centre, participants will see pictures of the route to get a flavour of the real challenge which lies ahead.

Slots will be available in one hour sessions throughout the day with 20 bikes available at any one time. Bookings are being taken at the gym reception or by calling 01978 314292. The cost is £5 per session with all participants encouraged to ask for sponsorship in support of their efforts.

Michelle Bowen, DW Fitness Manager said: “It is a real pleasure to support one of our members taking on this amazing challenge. Well done to James for doing it. People do inspiring things to raise funds for charity and it reminds us of how important it is to support their efforts. We will encourage James all we can along the way as he prepares for his cycle. Helping him to raise money for the hospice is another way we can get involved. We hope people will really get behind the spinathon.”

James said: “I am a supporter of the work the Hospice undertakes for our local community and, as a keen cyclist, decided I would like to raise funds by taking part in the Vietnam to Cambodia challenge.

“I was delighted when DW Fitness, where I have been a member since it opened, said they would like to support the Hospice. I train there twice a week and I’m thrilled that the gym instructors have offered to help me prepare for the challenge physically. Cycling through Vietnam and Cambodia will be an incredible experience and I am very excited to be going. The cyclists meet regularly in Caffi Cwtch and we are getting to know each other before we go. I hope as many people as possible will come along to spin at the event in June.”

James has self funded the challenge so every penny raised will go directly towards patient care at Nightingale House Hospice.

To join in the Spinathon call in to DW Fitness Reception to book your slot or call DW Fitness on 01978 340010.

To sponsor James’ efforts visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/James-Parry13