Rotary Club charity cyclists return home to Hungerford

The 550-mile, Wheels For Rotary round trip was covered in just seven days and raised more than £2,000 for End Polio Now and the local Bruce Trust which provides barges for disadvantaged people.
A member of the support crew, Hungerford Rotary spokesman Norman Sinclair-Baines, said: “The tour started with a great send-off from Hungerford Rotarians, the town twinning committee and the Bruce family. The five cyclists headed off towards Portsmouth, touching base with the support crew at Alresford on the way. Once on the ferry, bunks were allocated and we all bedded down for the night.”
After reaching St. Malo, the cyclists pedalled to Rennes and then to Angers where they stayed on the riverside.
Mr Sinclair-Baines said: “We were met at Montsoreau by cyclists from Ligueil who rode in with us. The reception at Ligueil was superb. We were allocated hosts and went home with them to prepare ourselves for a grand barbecue where the wine flowed and a good time was had by us all.”
Bruce Trust founder, David Bruce, said: “This is a fantastic initiative by the Rotary Club of Hungerford, not only to raise funds for End Polio Now but also for The Bruce Trust which is currently trying to raise £100,000 towards the cost of the complete refurbishment of its first boat, The Rebecca.”
Due to the success of Wheels For Rotary event, plans are already being made for a special charity cycle ride next year to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings, when the itinerary to Ligueil will include the D-Day beaches and Pegasus Bridge.