Chamber president embarks on 3,000 mile charity bike ride
A COVENTRY businessman is embarking on a 3,000 bicycle ride across the USA to raise money for a local specialist school.
Doug Squires, who is the president of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, has flown out to he States to begin his 3,396-mile ride from Los Angeles on May 8.
Sixty-five-year-old Mr Squires, who owns manufacturing firm Squires Gear and Engineering, is aiming to raise £35,000 for the new RNIB Rushton School and Children’s Home in Ash Green, which provides specialist education, residential care, therapies and health support to young people with multiple disabilities, complex health needs and sight loss.
He has been training for several months for the 49-day trip which will see him pedal 85 miles per day.
The businessman was given a send off by the Lord Mayor of the City of Coventry, Councillor Jack Harrison.
“Doug is embarking on a fantastic journey and for an absolutely brilliant cause,” he said.
“He will not only be cycling across the USA, he will be championing the cause of the city and the region. We wish him all the very best on the trip and in his money raising activity.”
Mr Squires said he was looking forward to beginning his gruelling challenge.
“I thank the mayor, the Chamber of Commerce, my friends, family and everyone in Coventry and Warwickshire for the sponsorship and support they have given me,” he said.
“My brother-in-law, Jon Goodwin, is joining me for the first two weeks from LA to Albuquerque and he has been a tremendous help in bringing in sponsorship across the country.”
To sponsor Doug, log onto www.justgiving.com/TransAm-Bikeride
