Postmen take to tandem for charity ride

TWO postmen have set off on an epic 592-mile journey from Edinburgh to London to raise cash for charity.

The Royal Mail workers, from Burnley, set off on a tandem bicycle from Edinburgh Castle yesterday morning and plan to visit Belfast, Dublin and Cardiff before arriving at the new Olympic Stadium in London on Saturday.

Garreth Ellidge and James Capstick aim to raise more than £4000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to terminally and seriously ill children.

A third Burnley-based postman, Andy Brown, will accompany them as driver of their back-up vehicle.

Two other friends, David Harries and Peter Baker, will also be saddling up for the ride.

Mr Ellidge said: “We would like to thank Royal Mail for all the support and encouragement we have received as we have prepared for this ride.

“There’s no doubt we’ll be stiff and sore by the time we reach the Olympic Stadium in London but we are honoured to be helping such a great cause.”

Andy Holland, challenge and events manager at the Make-A-Wish Foundation, said: “We are thrilled that Garreth, Peter, David and James have chosen to cycle round the country for us and wish them all the best.

“Make-A-Wish hopes to be granting 1000 magical wishes this year, a target we couldn’t reach without the help of dedicated supporters like the Royal Mail cycle team.”