A club in town has donated money to one of its members who has been fundraising after an eye incident 11 years ago.
The Wisbech and District Historic Vehicle Club has given £300 towards the fundraising efforts of one of its founding members, Colin Bedford.
Colin Bedford, 87, of March, suffered a detached retina while playing badminton 11 years ago, and since then has had to have regular eye injections at the Hinchingbrooke Hospital’s eye clinic in order to maintain his sight.
He has now clocked up his 100th injection and wanted to give something back to the hospital for all that they have done for him.
Colin has a collection of old bicycles, so starting in January this year he set out to ride 100 miles on some of his oldest machines in order to raise funds for the hospital.
He had raised £3,700 of his £4,000 target, and the Wisbech and District Historic Vehicle Club members voted to donate the remaining £300 to take him over the line.
Colin has been a member of the club since its inception in 1989 and has been a regular supporter of its events and road runs.
The presentation of the cheque was made at his home in March by the president of the club, Fred Clarke, 81, also a founder member, with the club’s chairman, Sara Fleming, in attendance.
Also present was Brain Cundy, 75, of Wisbech, who is also a cycle enthusiast and who accompanied Colin on a number of his rides, describing him as a true inspiration, and Rex Meaden who is the editor of the club’s magazine, ‘Tappet Chatter’.
Colin turned out in his 1877 Coventry Tricycle, made by the Coventry Machinists Company of Cheylesmore. It has 44-inch wheels and was marketed at £22/10 shillings.
This vehicle was used by Colin to complete his 100 miles.
He describes it as fairly easy to ride and steer once you get going, and was a big step forward from the Boneshaker of 1868 which Colin also has.
The Wisbech and District Historic Vehicle Club has over 100 members, celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, and is pleased to have donated more than £10,000 to local charities.
Further information and the club’s activities can be found on its Facebook page, and inquiries for membership can be made to editorwdhvc@gmail.com
