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Malmesbury businessman to cycle the length of New Zealand for charity
Kitchen designer and keen cyclist Martin Weaver is to cycle non-stop from one end of New Zealand to another in 24 days in aid of a Malmesbury charity.
Martin, who lives in the town, is taking part in the Tour Aotearoa Brevet – a 1,800 mile trek from Cape Reinga in the north of New Zealand to Bluff in the south.
The aim of the challenge is to do the trip in no less than ten days and no more than 30 days.
All 100 cyclists are expected to camp along the route and carry their own provisions and camping equipment.
For Martin, it was a challenge he wanted to face while raising money for the Malmesbury-based charity HEALS, which supports local individuals and families who face poverty, are vulnerable, or are disadvantaged.
“I wanted to test how much life there was in me and as a very keen cyclist this challenge really resonated with me,” said Martin.
“It’s also an amazing opportunity to help a local charity which makes a big impact in my own community.
“I hope to raise £4,500 so that 21 local children from lower income backgrounds can go on a summer camp in 2025 to enjoy a holiday experience the same way other children do.
“It’s easy to forget some young people don’t have opportunities to take part in outdoor activities such as camping, walking, cycling, archery and to understand the value of spending time in nature.”
Martin has lived in the Malmesbury area all his life and is well known as a kitchen designer who works with individuals, builders and property developers across Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
His love of cycling has always been there, and for pleasure, he regularly cycles 240 km per week especially around the roads and lanes of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.
“Cycling is part of my DNA now, I really enjoy it. It allows me to get out of my own head and just ‘be’ in nature and to see so many things we simply miss in our normal busy lives.”
Martin heads to New Zealand on Sunday, February 16 with the challenge starting on Saturday, February 22.