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Inverness bike repair shop to rescue of Help for Heroes charity fundraisers cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats on vintage cycles and climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon


By Philip Murray

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Jakeem and Richard on their vintage 40s-era bicycles. Picture: Iain Ferguson.
Jakeem and Richard on their vintage 40s-era bicycles. Picture: Iain Ferguson.

AN Inverness cycle shop came to the rescue of two fundraisers undertaking a 1000 mile charity cycle while dressed as World War II soldiers.

Richard Brown (26), from Prestwich in Manchester, and Jakeem Addman (23), from London, are riding replica 1940s bikes between John O'Groats and Land's End – but will deviate from the cycling part of their end-to-end adventure to take on the National Three Peaks Challenge. This will see them climbing the highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales, with their first climb of Ben Nevis today (Friday).

The pair, who are raising money for Help for Heroes and mental health charity Mind, set off from John O’Groats on Tuesday morning. They had a few detours on Tuesday and Wednesday because of bad weather and mechanical problems with brakes on one of the bikes.

They were able to dry out at a hostel in Inverness on Wednesday night and asked for help at a few cycle shops in the Highland capital yesterday morning (Thursday).

Eventually Ness Bikes put them in touch with a mechanic known as "Leo the Lion" – who not only was able to repair the brakes, but even gave the 1940s bike a full service to ensure it was fit for the rest of the fundraisers' marathon journey.

Richard said: "The first bike shop we contacted was fully booked. We then rang Ness Bikes who were closed due to Covid, but when we explained we were doing this for charity, they said they would ring us back.

"They told us to go and meet Leo, who knew everything about bikes - he stripped it down, sorted the brakes and pretty much gave the bike a full service so we could continue our journey. Leo was a total lifesaver and we can't thank him and Ness Bikes enough."

Various supporters have cycled alongside the intrepid pair and many people are following their journey on social media.

The pair cycled 100 miles from Inverness to Fort Augustus and Loch Ness yesterday (Thursday), then onto Fort William last night, with the owner of the Ben Nevis Holiday Park allowing them to stay overnight free of charge.

They swapped their bikes for boots today to climb Ben Nevis this morning, with a much-needed rest day tomorrow.

Richard and Jakeem hope to complete their trip at Land's End on August 15, having also conquered Scafell Pike (England) and Snowdon (Wales).

As well as climbing the trio of mountain-tops, with a total ascent of 3064m, they will be paying their respects at military bases and war memorials – including the Commandos Memorial at Spean Bridge – along the way.

Trevor Fudger, area fundraising manager at Help for Heroes, said: “We would like to thank Richard and Jakeem for what they are doing to help veterans and their families across the UK through their amazing challenge. And a huge shout-out to Ness Bikes and Leo in Inverness for saving the day!"


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