A police sergeant based in Wilmslow will be setting off on an epic journey next month to raise funds for the Brain Injury Rehabilitiation & Development charity (BIRD).
Sergeant Andy Miller, 40, will be flying to New Zealand on 21st February to commence a mammoth cycle trip starting at Buff in the far south of the South Island, and finishing at Cape Reinga at the northern tip of the North Island. This trip will be over 1350 miles and take in some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
Andy, who lives in Chester and has been a sergeant in Wilmslow for over 3 years, said "I am going to New Zealand to do the cycle ride because my sister is emigrating there in May this year and I want to see where she is going to be living and I love the country. Where else would you get the opportunity to cycle through such a diverse range of landscapes?"
His goal is to raise awareness and fundraise for the BIRD, based in Chester, and throughout the journey he will be totally self sufficient, carry a tent, sleeping bag, clothing, food, bike repair gear and plenty of sun screen.
Andy's plan is to complete the route in 21 days with a daily target of 100 miles and a rest day every few days. To cover that distance in the summer months Andy will be spend an average of seven hours in the saddle and consume around 8000 calories and about eight litres of water each day.
He added "I have done a similar trip before, about 16 months ago I cycled from London to Monaco for the same charity and loved every minute of it. That was 1000 miles and this will be around 1350 miles at least and far more mountainous.
"I hope to complete the journey within three weeks which will give me a week to recover and see the sights before flying home and back to reality. By that time hopefully I will have raised a substantial amount of money for BIRD.
"They have treated a couple of families I know so I know what good work they do. They are also a small charity and don't get much funding so I am glad to help where I can."
You can donate money through Andy's Just Giving page and visit his website for further information. Andy will be updating a blog on his website whenever he can get on a free WiFi network and you can also track him on the GPS link 'Track Andy'.
