WIMBOTSHAM: 83-year-old man uses pedal power to raise money for East Anglian Air Ambulance

Published: 9:00 AM May 31, 2009 Updated: 6:14 AM November 4, 2020

AN 83-year-old man took to pedal power when he helped his local raise money for the Pounds for Pints Appeal, run by the East Anglian Air Ambulance. Tom Blanchflower, a veteran of the London to Paris bike marathon, challenged himself to cycle around Wimbot

AN 83-year-old man took to pedal power when he helped his local raise money for the Pounds for Pints Appeal, run by the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Tom Blanchflower, a veteran of the London to Paris bike marathon, challenged himself to cycle around Wimbotsham Hall as many times as he could in one hour.

It came after Wendy Grove, landlady of the Chequers' pub in Wimbotsham, near Downham Market, heard about the appeal and wanted to go the extra mile.

Mr Blanchflower completed nine laps around Wimbotsham Hall and, helped by more enthusiastic fundraising at the pub itself, the result was a cheque for �1,614.45 presented to the Air Ambulance's area fundraising manager Chris Donaldson.

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Chris said: "When I heard that an 83 year old was going to ride as fast as possible for an hour I was a little concerned. But, having met Tom, a very tanned and fit fellow, it's clear that regular exercise has kept him young.

"We're very grateful to landlady Wendy, husband Michael, daughter Emma, and of course Tom for all their efforts.