A LEISURE centre is helping a pensioner with a lung complaint to train for a bike ride from Cairo to Jerusalem.
Thomas Williamson, 69, of Ormesby, Teesside, is being trained by staff at the Southlands Leisure Centre, Middlesbrough to complete the gruelling sponsored cycle ride.
The centre agreed to sponsor Thomas by giving him free training time in the health and fitness club and training classes to prepare him for the challenge to raise money for the British Lung Foundation.
Thomas will need to cover 50 miles a day for six days to raise the £2,000 he has pledged to raise for the foundation.
The foundation aims to raise a total of £60,000 with the bike ride and would welcome any donations to help reach the target.
Anyone who would like to sponsor Thomas on his marathon bike ride should call (01642) 285988
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