RONDJE NOORDZEE
Hold The Front Page
8 maart 2007
Sports writer quits job for book deal and international charity trek
By HoldtheFrontPage staff
A Southend Echo journalist is to embark on a gruelling 6,000km eight-country cycle ride to raise money for Cancer Research, following a double family tragedy.
Sports writer/sub Bernie Friend is giving up his job and will spend three months cycling solo across England, Scotland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany.
He also plans to write a book about his adventure, called Cycling back to Happiness, and has secured a deal with publisher Pen Press.
Bernie, (35), told HoldtheFrontPage: "It's something I've been thinking about doing for a while, but have never got around to because of work and other bits and pieces.
"But this last 12 months have been particularly hard. I lost my mum to a brain tumour and then unbelieveably my partner's mum died from a brain tumour too.
"You just couldn't make it up, it's terrible. Both were in their early 50s, the prime of their lives.
"But that brought it to the fore and I thought it's now or never. Life is too short and you never know what is round the corner."
Bernie will begin his trip of a lifetime on April 10, following the North Sea Cycle Route, the world's longest signposted coastal path.
Starting at Harwich ferry port, he will be pedalling across northern Europe, Scandinavia, Shetland, Orkney, Scotland and England.
Staying at hotels and hostels along the way, he has already persuaded a few people to give him a free bed for the night as he is funding the trip himself, and Leigh-on-Sea firm Richardson's Cycles has given him a bike and other kit to help him on his way.
He is also looking for other offers of sponsorship, donations or a bed for the night en-route, and plans to promote his trip to local media while out on the road to boost the coffers for Cancer Research UK further.
To make a donation go to www.justgiving.com/northseacycle. He can also be contacted at berniebike@hotmail.co.uk
Bernie has worked at the Southend Echo for more than ten years in three separate stints, working as a news reporter, Southend United reporter and sports writer/sub.
He has also worked for Sky Sports and The Sun, and began his career on the Yellow Advertiser.
Sluit dit venster