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Andy rides across Tibet
Andy Wiggans on his bike
FOR someone whose usual commitment to cycling goes as far as the odd Sunday afternoon meander, Andy Wiggans is suddenly setting himself an Everest of a challenge.
The 61-year-old chairman of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is in training for one of the world’s most extreme bike rides from Lhasa to Khatmandu - scaling mountain passes exceeding 14,500ft - all in the name of charity.
His journey will see him pedal across the Friendship Highway to the vast Roof Of The World and through Everest Base Camp on a 20-day endurance trek.
Mr Wiggans said: “This is the realisation of a boyhood dream and the re-kindling of that sense of wonderment.
“I’m not super fit, I’m not a mad-keen cyclist and I’ve not been overly training because this test will be all about the altitude and I’ll not know how I’ll cope until I’ve acclimatized.”
As an incentive to help him over the mountains, Mr Wiggans is trying to raise money for two charities close to his heart: the Manchester-based Mines Advisory Group and Wigan based DIAS (Drop In And Share).
The latter supports people affected by domestic violence and recently said it was desperately short of funds to the point of having to consider axing its unique local counselling service for children.
Mr Wiggans said: “When I heard DIAS’s funding for their work counselling children and young people caught up in domestic violence would soon end I knew I had to do something. I had a similar experience as a child so this is a very personal mission for me.”
Mr Wiggans will set off from Lhasa on Saturday, September 18. To make a donation please send a cheque to Andy Wiggans C/O DIAS Address or e-mail andrewwiggans@o2.co.uk.
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Weather for Wigan
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 14 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
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