'Three Old Men' take on cycling challenge for local children's charity

Phil Milanes and his friends Andy Morris and Dave Robinson will take on a Land’s End to Bristol cycling challenge for children's hospice Julia's House.

The self-proclaimed ‘three old men’, who are all in their 70s and 80s, hope to raise more than £1,500 for Julia’s House children’s hospice.

The Wiltshire charity relies almost entirely on donations to provide a lifeline of care for the most seriously ill children and their families in the county.

Although Phil Milanes', Andy Morris' and Dave Robinson's training has been hampered by covid and injuries, the trio are now geared up to take on the 375 mile challenge.  

Andy, 72 from Urchfont, said: “Julia’s House thoroughly deserves any money we can raise. It’s lovely that they support the whole family, as well as caring for the very seriously ill children.”

At 81 years old, Phil is the oldest of the cycling trio and it was his idea to take on the Land's End to Bristol challenge.

Andy continued: “Dave and I are hardened cyclists, so Phil asked us if we’d do the challenge with him. We hoped to complete the challenge in April, but Phil came down with COVID during training and he needed time to recover.”

The active trio have each faced significant challenges and heartbreak in their own life. Phil has previously suffered a stroke and had a knee replacement, Andy has suffered a benign brain tumour and Dave, 74, lost his daughter due to a heart condition when she was in her early twenties.

Andy added: “We’ve all been through a lot and it’s made us determined to make the most out of life."

With training now back on track, the cycling team from Urchfont and Chitterne say they are feeling positive that they’ll complete their challenge over five days, from Monday 23 May - cycling back home from Bristol on Saturday 28 May.

“The hardest part will definitely be the terrain in Cornwall,” said Andy. “There’s no escaping the hills and you’ve just got to get over them and hope the wind is on your side.”

Julia’s House Fundraising Administrator Nicky Clack, said: “We’re so pleased that Phil, Andy and Dave have been able to go ahead with their cycling challenge for Julia’s House.

"We’ll be cheering them over every hill on the way! We’re almost entirely reliant on donations to fund our vital care for families of children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, so their support and every pound raised will make an incredible difference.”

Members of the public can support Phil, Andy and Dave and make a donation to Julia’s House on their Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Lands-End-to-Bristol-2022