AN ADVENTUROUS 70-year-old cyclist, who has raised more than £50,000 for the Prospect Hospice since 1998, is embarking on a 700-mile bike ride through the Czech Republic.
Martin Vandervelde, who will be accompanied by friends Roger Hayes and Bob Chittinden, will fly out from Bristol to Prague later today.
The fundraiser, a retired tailor who worked at Henry Best, Old Town, is a veteran fundraiser for the Prospect Hospice.
He will be travelling 50 miles a day for a fortnight and is confident he will reach his £7,000 target.
He said: "Visiting new places where no one speaks English is an adventure and a challenge."
Mr Vandervelde has been cycling around the British Isles since his youth.
And he started to cycle in Europe in 1995.
He admits his success is due to the support he is given from his wife, three children and friends, as well as the sponsorship he receives from Swindon's Old Town Rotary Club and other associations.
When he's not riding his bicycle he is a volunteer at the Great Western Hospital, driving patients to and from appointments,
He is also a volunteer at the Prospect Hospice.
He is undeterred by a few scary experiences, including riding 25 miles through a mined Spanish desert with ex Pressed Steel man Bob Chittinden.
Mr Vandervelde attributes his success to the knowledge that he is doing it all for charity.
He said: "After a happy working life, it's a poor show if you can't help those less fortunate than yourself."
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