‘Youngsters shouldn’t have to worry about cancer’ is the message from a Dorset adventurer and fundraiser who will be cycling for seven months unsupported around the coast of Great Britain.
Will Bligh, 53, will be cycling astride his trusty Brompton folding bike towing his dependable trailer as he circumnavigates the coast of England, Wales and Scotland.
This is an epic journey of around 5-6,000 miles and is expected to take at least seven months - all in aid of the Ducks & Drakes Cancer Trust, a Dorset-based charity helping young people with bowel cancer.
Will has given himself the task of visiting approximately 300 castles to make things more interesting.
Will, a steampunk enthusiast from Melcombe Bingham, west of Blandford, said: “The main problem is the hills. Devon and Cornwall - and to some extent Wales, make Scotland look flat. Also, in the Lake District, I am going to try the foolhardy mission of attempting the Hardknott Pass.
"However, my first major obstacle is Wears Hill out of Abbotsbury. I bypassed it before, by going down to the track along the back of Chesil Beach, but that is impassable for my bike and trailer now."
He was previously a freelance handyman but is currently unemployed.
As he is unsupported - and doesn’t travel light - Will be towing a heavy trailer behind him. This is the same distinctive trailer he towed on similar cycles in 2006 and 2004 when he cycled the coast to raise money for the RNLI.
In total, the trailer has accompanied him for 9,361 miles around the coast and required significant repairs to be back in shape for this next coastal adventure.
He added: “The reason I am supporting Ducks & Drakes, apart from them being a local charity, is two-fold. One - I have lost a number of friends and family recently - not all to cancer, but some - and I've got to the age when it makes you think a little more about it.
"Two - youngsters should be able to enjoy their youth and not be forced to deal with something like bowel cancer.”
He will be setting off at 10am on Sunday, March 26 from outside The Keep Military Museum, Dorchester, as it is the nearest 'castle' type structure.
Visit his Coast And Castles Cycle for Ducks & Drakes Cancer Trust Facebook page to follow his journey, or visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/coast-and-castles-cycle to make a donation.
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