Donations came from as far as France a 72-year-old celebrated his birthday by biking for more than eight hours and raising more than £1,100 for charity.
Due to his age, Barry Drew is having to self-isolate and he was getting frustrated at seeing his Spalding Cycling Club colleagues out volunteering to help the community.
So he decided to complete ten cycling videos from his own garage on Cley Hall Drive to raise money for the Friends of Johnson Hospital.
He more than doubled his target of £500 and also benefitted from neighbours and passers by after putting a bucket outside his house.
Fellow Spalding Cycling Club member Andrew Gurney also joined in the challenge using FaceTime from his Deeping St Nicholas home.
Barry also broadcast the effort live on Facebook and was blessed with donations from the U3A, Ukelele Orchestra and from friends in Spalding’s twin town which is near Marseille in the south of France.
Barry said: “It was a beautiful day and so I was able to have my garage doors open. A number of Spalding cycle club members called, and gave me support.
“There was a fairly constant number of neighbours, many of whom I did not really know, who chatted with me from a distance and sponsored me.
“Andy took the day off work to ride with me on Face Time and it helped to see someone else suffer along with me.
“It was worth it though because I set myself a target of £500, but thanks to the amazing generosity of everyone, the amount raised is currently in excess of £1,100.
“Because I had a live Facebook video many people took the trouble on and off to watch me and write wishing me a happy birthday and encouraging me.”
You can donate to Barry here.
