Fit at 60 - fitness instructor biking 60k a day for 60 days for Motor Neurone Disease charity

‘Lofty’ Holmes has been inspired after watching the exploits of rugby league star Kevin Sinfield who ran seven marathons in seven days in December to raise over £2.7m for the same charity.

Lofty is a freelance instructor working at better gym on East Road in the town.

He explained: “I turned 60 on January 31 and had been looking for a challenge to celebrate that.

“A group of us rode a leg of the Tour de France a couple of years ago for Macmillian Cancer Research. We were looking at the NC500 in Scotland or Leeds to Edinburgh, but the latest Lockdown put a halt to that so it had to be something more local and isolated.

“I decided on (biking) 60km a day for 60 days, I chose to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) after seeing Kevin Sinfield’s ‘7 in 7’ efforts for Rob Burrows.”

Kevin’s friend and former Leed Rhinos team mate Rob has very publicly been raising awareness of the condition over the past year after being affected by it himself.

Lofty, who played a lot of rugby in his Army says said: “As a Leeds lad and lifetime Rhino’s supporter I was deeply moved by their obvious friendship at both a sporting and personal level, the dedication of Kevin to do the very best he could for Rob and his young family reflects the very best of the sport.

“It was a fitting cause. Doddie Weir, former Scotland international and British Lion is also a MND sufferer. I watched a lot of Doddie in my youth, during the Five Nations and Lions tours. His dedication to the game and now to his family despite the ravages of his condition is most honourable. His continued humour and selflessness in raising funds and awareness of this terrible condition is a reflection of his qualities as a rugby player and as a great human being with all the qualities I have come to expect from my rugby heroes, whatever the code.”

Lofty is doing the 60km a day either on the road or on a static bike in the garage when snow and ice was on the ground.

He is also doing the ride in memory of former friend, ex-military colleague and teammate, Graham Bland, who sadly passed away a short while after contracting the disease and one of Lofty’s nieces lost her Mum in similar circumstances. “

Today (Tuesday) is Day 3. he has completed the ride, covering 2,280 miles so far, with another 1,320 to go.

He has been keeping supporters up to speed with his progress each day on his Facebook page and has so far raised £895

raised of £6,000 target

Lofty said: “It is going well at the moment, looking after my recovery well, and the legs are standing up well.”

Anyone wishing to donate should go to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Lofty-Holmes1