61-year-old set to take on monster cycling challenge in the Peak District

A determined fundraiser is planning the challenge of a lifetime in the Peak District this summer to raise funds for a children’s hospital.
Colin Beresford is pictured with his son Matthew and daughter Charlotte.Colin Beresford is pictured with his son Matthew and daughter Charlotte.
Colin Beresford is pictured with his son Matthew and daughter Charlotte.

Colin Beresford, 61, is set to take on the almighty challenge of cycling the climb of Mount Everest in just 20 hours on a hill in Derbyshire’s national park.

While cycling in the Peaks may sound relaxing, this challenge will be far from it.

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Colin said: “The coronavirus pandemic scuppered my original plans this year to cycle across the country. I’ve been shielding since March with an inflammatory disease called ankylosing spondylitis and I’d been thinking about what I could do instead.

61-year-old Colin plans to give back to Sheffield Children's Hospital.61-year-old Colin plans to give back to Sheffield Children's Hospital.
61-year-old Colin plans to give back to Sheffield Children's Hospital.

“While cycling one weekend, I saw a 22-year-old complete the Everest Cycling Challenge on Fiddlers Elbow, a local hill in the Peak District close to my home, and it really inspired me.

“At almost three times his age at 61 and with my creaking body, I am aware I may well fail but not before I’ve given it everything I’ve got.”

The Everest Challenge involves riding a bike up the equivalent height of Mount Everest, some 8,848m or 29,029ft. To meet the climb required, Colin will need to ride up and down the hill 52 times and cover 285km in total.

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He hopes the challenge will take around 20 hours to complete on Saturday, August 29.

The money raised will go to Sheffield Children’s Hospital, whose services both of Colin’s children have benefited from in the past.

To support the challenge, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Colin-Beresford4.