A 70-year-old man has cycled 300 miles to raise funds for charity.

Paul Bromley has cycled from Portland Basin in Greater Manchester to Portland Bill in Dorset to raise hundreds of pounds for Willow Wood Hospice. 

Willow Wood Hospice is in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, which is where Paul lives with his wife Susan.
However, he used to be stationed in Portland while working in navy from 1963 to 1975.

He worked in communications and at the end of his time there he was based at the island’s air station.

The cyclist greatly enjoyed his Portland to Portland ride across the country.

He said: “I’ve loved it, absolutely loved it. It’s British countryside, it’s freedom, it’s everything.

“I am very lucky, extremely lucky, and I have got to celebrate the fact that I can do it. I am 70 and I can travel 300 miles.”

Paul added that on his journey he met a lot of generous people who offered him a place to camp for free and fixed his bike for him, among other things.

He said: “The world is full of lovely people and I have met a lot of them. The whole trip has been a pleasure – hard work, but a pleasure.”

Paul has so far managed to raise nearly £420 from his everydayhero fundraiser page online, but he hopes to donate even more, as some have signed up to donate to his cause via sponsor form.

He said: “I am hoping that will come to more than £500.”

His cycle ride took place over ten days, from Monday, June 12, finishing today, meaning that he had to travel thirty miles on average every day.

Susan said: “He has done very well and even in the heat he has been getting to each place mid-afternoon. He is more like 50 than 70. He’s very fit and young-minded.”

Paul is donating the funds raised to Willow Wood Hospice because he believes it provides a vital service in his area

He said: “It’s our local hospice. Hopefully I will never need them but I have known some people who have had them.”

If you wish to make a donation to Paul, visit give.everydayhero.com