Brothers prepare for epic adventure in aid of South Gloucestershire China Bear Rescue Group

9:10am Saturday 13th June 2009

By Ali Dent

BROTHERS Matt and Nick Strange are preparing to pedal across the country to help abused animals on the opposite side of the world.

The pair are embarking on a 1,200 mile cycle challenge in an off-road version of the well travelled route between Land’s End and John O’Groats.

All the money raised from their gruelling bike ride will go towards rescuing tortured Asiatic bears in China.

Matt, a self-employed IT contractor from Plover Close in Yate, said he had come up with the idea after watching Long Way Round, a series which followed actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman motorbiking around the world.

He said: "I have reached the time in my life to have a mid-life crisis and Land’s End to John O’Groats has long been an ambition.

"I originally thought about walking the journey but can't afford the time off. I recently found the cycling bug, but also found that I needed the challenge of long distance cycle routes, preferably off road."

Matt said he was initially planning to complete the challenge alone but had managed to convince his brother to join him.

The route, which will take in 130,000ft of arduous uphill terrain as well as cart tracks, national cycle routes and some roads, will take 23 days.

The pair will carry everything they need for the journey in backpacks and will camp out every night as they take in the sights of Great Britain.

Matt’s parents-in-law Hazel and Dave Stallworthy set up the South Gloucestershire China Bear Rescue Group in support of the Animals Asia Foundation seven years ago. Since then, he and wife Amanda have abseiled down the Eagle Tower in Cheltenham and taken part in the Badminton Horseless Trials to raise money for the Moon Bears, which are kept in cages and milked for their bile.

He said: "We have been involved with the group since Dave watched a documentary about the plight of the bears and have supported work to end bear bile farming across Asia.

"The group has raised over £40,000 and sponsored two bears named Abbey and Woodley, who are now living out their lives in a Sichuan sanctuary, free from pain and fear, feeling the sun on their backs and the grass under their paws."

Matt and Nick start their epic adventure on Wednesday, July 1. To sponsor them or see a diary of their journey visit www.cbrsouthglos.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/page14.html