Whilst 2020 was a year where many of us were unable to achieve some of the goals we may have set ourselves due to the global COVID pandemic, local resident Peter Brun instead saw it as an opportunity to not only get some extreme exercise in but also raise some money for a good cause.
Through his allotted exercise allowance, Peter impressively cycled the equivalent of the 317-mile distance from his home in Hawkinge, Kent to Barnard Castle through the months of June and July. Whilst doing this, he also set up a JustGiving page to raise money for local charity Pilgrims Hospice.
CommunityAd caught up with Peter to find out more about his incredible achievement…
What inspired you to take on this 317-mile bike challenge and why did you choose Pilgrims Hospice as your fundraiser?
I was trying to take my allowed exercise under COVID regulations in the way I found most enjoyable and then the news of Dominic Cumming’s trip to Durham and Barnard Castle hit the news. At the same time, we were hearing how the closure of charity shops was affecting the income of many charities. This led to a lightbulb moment when the idea of cycling the equivalent distance from home to Barnard Castle would be a good target for my daily rides and would be a good handle to ask for sponsorship.
The Pilgrims Hospices offer such a vital service that, for me, they were an obvious choice as the target. According to the AA Route finder, the distance from my house to Barnard Castle was 317 miles and I added an extra 100 miles for his famous trips to Bluebell woods while he was in Durham. My daily rides (weather permitting) were about 12 miles. A few days before lockdown I had my knee replacement surgery cancelled so thought that I would just about get the distance completed before being called in for that again.
From the many miles you cycled, what would you say was your most memorable moment of the journey?
Most memorable were coming behind young ladies riding their horses ahead of me. Out of consideration I slowed down and was passing as quietly as possible, but when I was level, I was asked to make a noise as suddenly appearing silently is what spooks the horses. Thereon I came across them fairly regularly and took to singing as I approached. ‘I’m an Old Cow Hand from the Rio Grande’ brought the best response from the riders.
How much did you raise in total and can people still donate?
£545 was the amount raised. I have just checked the JustGiving page and it is still active. The web address is www.justgiving.com/fundraising/peter-brun.
You inspirationally took this challenge on during the first lockdown with your allotted exercise time, what advice would you give to those who may be struggling currently, especially with it being winter and bitterly cold for outdoor exercise?
So, as far as the current lockdown is concerned, I am rather more restricted as my knee operation was carried out at the end of July so I have not restarted the riding. I walk around the block at present for exercise. I like photography and am experimenting with photographing an Amaryllis and seeing what effects can be produced with editing software.
I also look up photographs from my past efforts and circulate them weekly to a group of neighbours and invite them to ‘Name a Tune’ that they can suggest from the picture. For example, one was of the Crabble water-mill, and of course, ‘Nellie Dean’ was the most popular suggestion for that one. A dozen households take part and often more than 50 song titles are suggested. I find it difficult to offer advice as we are all different but would suggest trying something new. Drawing could be an example.
With us now in lockdown 3, are you potentially planning any fundraising ideas for when restrictions get lessened?
I am not currently thinking in terms of fundraising as I am still to discover how my mobility progresses.
What do you enjoy most about living in Hawkinge?
I like living in Hawkinge. In the past, I had a dog and there are so many opportunities for good dog walks. Now, I like the people here and I enjoy the views over the town and the Channel as we go down into Folkestone.