Ashfield: Music festival to build on biker’s Macmillan ride

The 53-year-old, pictured with Macmillan representative Helena Monk and Wyvern secretary Stuart Symonds, rode to both Liverpool and Skegness over the course of four days.

“I’d like to thank my children, Sarah and Liam, family and friends who helped me raised the money through sponsorship, raffles and auction donations,” he said.

“I also distributed more than 30 charity bottles around Sutton and Kirkby, where donations are still welcome. At the Wyvern I raised £983.94, at ‘the Billy’ over £200, and in Skegness £385, with thanks to Amanda and John at Yates’s, the Boathouse and the Hollywood.

“Not only that, but when I paid the money in at NatWest, a gentleman tapped me on the shoulder asking who and what I was doing. I told him about the cycle ride and how I raised the money and he then gave me £100!

“I shook hands and I thanked him, but I never had chance to get his name, so I’d really like to thank him.”

The Wyvern are also lending their support to the fundraising effort with a music festival on Saturday from 3pm until late, where eight bands will be performing for free.

Headliners are The Hype, with Griffam, Four Flat Tyres, Poteen, Johnny Carey, Gary ‘Country’ Roe, Mindful Soul and Desensitised also on stage, while there will also be a raffle.

Mr Symonds said: “All ages are welcome and the idea is to encourage talented local bands and raise money for charity at the same time.”

“The festival will be held in a marquee weather-permitting, but if we don’t get our summer back, the festival will be held in our function room.”

Meanwhile, on Monday, the Wyvern will play host to children from Orchard Primary School, who will watch a play performance by actors from Nottingham.