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Back in saddle – after 30 years

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A man who nearly died in a cycling accident as a teenager is getting back in the saddle for the first time more than 30 years later, to raise funds for good causes.

Martin Cartwright, who is mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth, ended up in a coma and on a life support machine after a collision with a car when he was 15.

Today, he will get back on a bike again for the first time since the accident, which happened in November 1981, as he was cycling in Blaby.

Councillor Cartwright, who lives in Groby, said: "Amazingly, I can still remember the accident.

"It was partly my fault. I swerved to avoid a jogger and was struck by the vehicle – and even more seriously for me, I wasn't wearing a crash helmet.

"I spent three days in a coma – on a life support machine. I broke my right leg in three places and still bear the scars."

Coun Cartwright, 46, will cycle 110 miles to the Leicester Children's Holiday Home, in Mablethorpe, with the aim of arriving by night-time tomorrow.

With a target of raising £20,000 for eight charities during his year in office, he is hoping the ride will help add to the fund-raising pot.

"This is the big one as far as I am concerned," he said.

Although his hectic year of civic duties and charitable events, which ends on May 14, has left him little time to train for the ride, Coun Cartwright is determined to give it his all.

He is raising money and awareness for The British Heart Foundation, Leicester Royal Infirmary Neonatal Care, Macmillan, People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, Cats Protection, Dogs for the Disabled and the Leicester Children's Holiday Home.

The mayor will be supported by cycling companion Dr Andy Curry, Leicester Royal Infirmary's neonatal director.

And, to keep him on his toes, six Gurkhas from Gamecock Barracks, in Bramcote, will be trying to catch him.

The 30th Signal Regiment soldiers plan to set off on Sunday morning – 24 hours after the mayor – with the aim of overtaking him before he reaches Mablethorpe.

"Even leaving 24 hours later gives them plenty of time to catch me," said the mayor.

To support him, e-mail him at:

bikeride@appliancehome.co.uk

Back in saddle – after 30 years


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