Leeds Rhinos and England star Jamie Jones-Buchanan has helped raise nearly £8,000 for Leeds Mencap with his charity bike ride across the country.
The weekend after Grand Final glory at Old Trafford, the Leeds forward took to the saddle and joined four friends to do the Coast to Coast challenge in aid of Leeds Mencap.
The 130 mile charity bike ride from Morecombe to Bridlington pushed the five man team to their limits with an early start and late finish.
Jamie commented, "We wanted a challenge that would test us but still hopefully be manageable given our relatively novice cycling background. Leeds Mencap are a charity who support people with learning disabilities as well as their families and carers. As a Rhinos player Leeds Mencap is a charity I know and have had the privilege of been involved with before.
"The team was made up of various local sporting elite and business men, with the hope that our combined sporting and business success would be a winning combination!"
Team Members
Jamie Jones Buchanan – Leeds Rhinos
Simon Wray – RAF PTI, Gladiators Champion Sky One (2008)
Jamie Todd – Former Rugby player, MD of Leeds Recycling
Richard Turner – Former Footballer and MD of Fantastak Ltd
Daniel Hermann – Former Great Britain athlete (800m) PE Teacher for the Pennine Sports Partnership and Director of Propinz Ltd.
Jamie Jones Buchanan got involved in this amazing challenge as Leeds Mencap is the Leeds Rugby Foundation's charity of the year for 2011 and he wanted to do something special to show his support. However all the team members were keen to support the charity, which works with children and adults with learning disabilities and their families.
Daniel said, "As sports and business men we are always looking for that next big challenge/milestone to try and achieve, we've always believed if you stand still you're going backwards. We have all been keen supporters of Leeds Mencap and the brilliant work they do, if we can raise awareness of the charity and inspire people to donate then this great work can continue to help improve people's lives."
You can view the video of this amazing charity feat by visiting: http://www.therhinos.co.uk/news/17789.php
You can still donate to the event by visiting www.justgiving.com/Coast2Coast1011