Shop manager to cycle 200km inside his own Londis to raise money for local charity
George Hall will take on 10-hour static bike challenge for a charity fighting an ultra-rare genetic disorder
A shop manager will spend ten hours on a static bike beside his own shelves cycling 200km to raise money for charity.
George Hall, manager of Londis Rowlands Castle, will start pedalling at 5am on Saturday (September 5) and aims to cover 200km, roughly the distance from Rowlands Castle to Bristol to raise money for a local charity.
His shop will be open as usual throughout the challenge so customers can come and cheer him on towards his goal.
The cycle will raise money for CASK Research Foundation, a Rowlands Castle-based charity set up in 2022 by Laura Hattersley after her daughter Sarah was diagnosed with MICPCH, an ultra-rare neurological disorder caused by a mutation in the CASK gene.
Sarah, now 9, has significant developmental disabilities and epilepsy and needs extensive daily care.
"It means an enormous amount to us that George has chosen to take on such a tough challenge,” said Laura. “His family have seen some of the challenges that our family faces, so this is a very personal act of support.”
"CASK is incredibly rare, but for families like ours it affects every aspect of life. Research is our hope for the future, and we are determined to make sure children like Sarah have better options in the years ahead,” she said.
The connection is close to home for George, as his daughter is in the same class as Sarah's younger brother.
Every donation made to the charity will be matched by an anonymous resident of Rowlands Castle, doubling the impact of every contribution.
"I wanted to challenge myself this year, and after previously supporting CASK Research through ticket sales at some of their events, I've seen first-hand how close this cause is to home," George said.
"With young children of my own, I felt compelled to do something more and help in whatever way I could. Taking on a 200km indoor bike ride seemed like the perfect way to push myself while raising money and awareness for such an important cause."
Residents are invited to drop into Londis Rowlands Castle at any point between 6am and 3pm on Saturday, September 5 to cheer George on.
You can find out more about George’s challenge and make a donation here.