A BARRISTER has taken on an epic cycle challenge to raise funds for a Shipley-based charity.

Simon Anderson has tackled the gruelling Wild Atlantic Way voyage, which has taken in the entire coast of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, to raise funds for the Margaret Carey Foundation (MCF), a charity which works to help reduce reoffending through training and skills development.

Simon, who is also a trustee of MCF, set off on May 29 from the MCF Bikery in Shipley.

The first day began with an 84.4-mile cycle across to the North West to pick up the overnight ferry from Birkenhead to Belfast.

He has covered around 2,000 miles, an average of 74 miles per day, over the course of the challenge, finishing back at the Shipley Bikery tomorrow.

Simon is covering all the expenses for the cycle challenge himself so every penny raised in sponsorship helps to support the ongoing work of the charity.

He first became aware of the charity through a colleague, who had bought a refurbished bike from them.

Having a legal background Simon took a keen interest in the work the charity does, delivering training workshops for individuals in the criminal justice system and other vulnerable groups in the community, and joined the board of trustees in 2019.

He said: “As a trustee for MCF I know how challenging the last 14 months has been for the charity, both in terms of securing ongoing funding but also the very difficult operating conditions the prison and community workshops have faced."

Jon Warrick, chief executive cfficer at MCF, added: “We’re really impressed by the challenge that Simon has chosen to take on to raise funds for MCF. We hope that others will be inspired by his efforts and support him through sponsorship pledges.”

To sponsor Simon, visit: https://www.margaretcareyfoundation.org.uk/fundraisers/the-wild-atlantic-way