Boaters from the YBW forum are organising a charity
bike ride between two MDL marinas in order to raise money for the British Heart
Foundation.

The 68-mile route will take cyclists from Penton
Hook marina, near Chertsey on the Thames, to Ocean Village
marina in Southampton and is set to take place on 6 June 2015.

Gary Pearson, a frequent user of the forum and
Sealine owner, decided to organise the event after becoming ill with a heart
infection earlier this year.

Mr Pearson said: “I’m fully recovered, but the
experience I received from the cardiologists and people involved in diagnosing
the problem was absolutely phenomenal, hopefully we can raise as much as we
possibly can.

“Those of us of a certain age can become more prone
to heart disease, and while the treatment today is fantastic, there is always
more that can be done, which is why we are supporting this charity.”

This isn’t the first time Mr Pearson has raised
money for charity, having previously cycled from London to Brighton, raising £2,500
for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

He’s hoping next year’s event will be able to raise
double that amount.

“There’s plenty of time to get fit, we’re talking
seven months before the ride and we’ll be undertaking practise training rides
that everybody’s welcome to join in,” he said.

The 68-mile route will be broken up into four
stages, with the opportunity to stop off at three rest stops along the way. 

The riders will then gather at the final stop,
before crossing the finish line together.

He says: “It’s still quite a challenge to do that
sort of distance, but if you stick together in groups; you can talk as you
cycle which should make the event great fun, and boaters banter is always good
for a laugh. It’s a very sociable activity.”

So far, 16 forumites have signed up and others will
be going along for moral support.

Mr Pearson says the willingness to partake has been
great and he’s hoping many more will join them.

MDL Marinas operations and
marketing director Dean Smith, said: “We’re thrilled that the charity bike ride
will be taking place between two MDL marinas. It’s for a great cause and we
wish the riders the best of luck.”

After the ride Mr Pearson plans to organise a ‘Beer
and Natter’ evening, somewhat of a tradition for the YBW forumites, saying: “If
you just want to come out for a quick chinwag then please do.” 

Those wishing to sponsor the event can either donate money or buy a unique T-shirt for around £10
(final cost is to be confirmed), £5 of which will be donated to the British
Heart Foundation.

So whether you’d like to make a donation, get on
your bike or come down to the marinas and honk your horn with the best of them,
Gary urges anyone to come down.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s £1, £5, £10,’ and in
terms of the collection tins, if you’ve got spare coppers in your pocket, put
them in there.”

To get involved, email the organisers via Contact@BikeForCharity.co.uk or join the team on their
JustGiving page.