MARC Hall is raising funds for The RAF Benevolent Fund through a series of events throughout the next 18 months, culminating in a trek to Mount Everest's Base Camp.
The first event on September 2 will see cyclists visit each of the region's five largest football clubs, starting at Darlington and ending in Newcastle.

Tell me what the cycling challenge entails?

Riders will cycle nearly 80 miles in one day. I am currently looking at 30 riders taking part from the people I know to people I've spoken with via social media. We are setting off from Darlington Arena and heading over to the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough. We'll then set off to Hartlepool's Victoria Park and up to the Stadium of Light in Sunderland. Finally, we will head to Newcastle's St James' Park.

All riders will be wearing specially designed jerseys. Medals and certificates will also be given out at the end.

The event is not just for pros, anyone can join in. Sir Chris Hoy has kindly signed one of our jerseys, which we will be raffling off and we are hoping for donations from the clubs we are visiting.

How did it come about?

The ride came about after a drunken chat that Graham Purnell and myself had. Graham has tried to get me into cycling the past few years without success but ended up selling me a bike back in 2017. I have since really taken to riding and pushed further and faster than ever. I suffer from Crohn's Disease and find that if I stay fit I have very few problems managing the disease. Graham is exceptionally fit and has been riding a number of years.

Why have you chosen the RAF Benevolent Fund?

This came about as both Graham and myself served in the RAF for a number of years. I've seen very good friends fall on very hard times with very different issues and the RAFBF has been there to step in and help them with grants, education purposes and other things. The RAF family is very close to our hearts.

Both myself and Graham have partaken in various fundraising events over the years, from The Redcar half marathon myself raising over £400. Graham has also taken part in the Maserati Tour de Yorkshire raising more than £1,000 for Macmillan.

How are you preparing for the ride?

We are currently cycling 20 to 50 miles per day around the local area and North Yorkshire, whilst also training in the gym up to six days a week. Others that are taking part are also preparing by cycling short rides and gym work.

What else have you got planned?

This is just one event that we are taking part and organising. Over the next year we are looking at riding the Coast to Coast from Southport to Scarborough which will take roughly two days to complete. Again riders will be welcomed should they want to join us. We are looking at taking part in Tough Mudder runs and also parachute jumping.

We are also doing the Three Peaks Challenge which will come in handy for training for our last fundraiser which will see both Graham and myself heading to Nepal to take on a trek to Mount Everest's base camp in October 2019.

How can people get in touch?

People can get involved in the event by either riding with us, contacting myself via 07908809707 or by joining the Facebook group, North East Football Ground Ride 2018.

I've been lucky enough to get an event sponsor in the form of John Davey Limited, who have kindly purchased the sponsorship of the unique jerseys so we will be carrying the logo with us.

I work for Mr Davey at the Billingham Forum Theatre and as soon as he knew what we were planning he wanted to help us as best he could.

We are always looking for further sponsors and would love people to donate on our justgiving page https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/marc-hall-1?utm_term=AQqDwexK7 or again by contacting myself.

I am also looking for a mobile bike mechanic and someone to follow us for First Aid purposes.

We are also looking for donations for bottles of water that we can give to the riders during the event.