Couple's bike ride for eating disorder charity (From The Northern Echo)

Couple's bike ride for eating disorder charity

4:20pm Sunday 17th February 2013 in News By Gavin Havery, Reporter (Derwentside & Tyneside)

A COUPLE from the North-East have taken part in a sponsored exercise bike ride to support people who suffer from eating disorders.

Mark and Lucy Herkes, from Chester-le-Street, cycled more than the distance from London to Paris in support of Beat.

With a little help from their family, they clocked up almost 400 miles and raised £230 for the charity.

Mrs Herkes has suffered from an eating disorder for the past seven years and has been hospitalised because of her condition.

Mr Herkes, 25, NHS administrator, said: “We decided to support Beat because it is a charity that has had a personal impact upon our lives and we both want to give something back to them.

“We have gained support and advice from Beat, however, due to the lack of awareness of this serious mental illness, many sufferers are either afraid to gain help or simply do not know where to turn.”

The bike ride, on exercise bikes, was staged at Bannatynes, Riverside, Chester-le-Street and the Herkes were joined by Mark’s brothers Craig and Christopher as well as his father Stewart.

To sponsor them go to www.doitforcharity.com/markandlucy or text BEAT66 followed by the amount to 70070.