MOSSLEY Hollins High School teacher Chris Smith is cycling the length of Britain on a charity ride this summer.
The 46-year-old from Carrbrook will be pedalling from Lands End to John O’Groats over a 14-day period in August to raise money for Leukaemia and Myeloma Research UK.
It is a charity close to Chris’ heart as his mother Judith is receiving treatment for the illness.
And maths teacher Chris has got his sums wrong in the best possible way after setting a target on his JustGiving page to raise £1,000.
Chris already has pledges for almost £1,700 and is confident he can raise £2,000, double his original estimate.
He admitted his marathon 990-mile ride – he plans to do 1,000 miles – has captured the imagination of his pupils.
“We have had discussions in class. Some children have contributed and others have been interested in the route which has been good for their geography,” he said.
Chris, a member of Manchester Social Cycling, turned to two wheels after retiring from playing football.
He has been covering 100 miles a week training and is used to completing lengthy distances.
Last year he devised his own coast to coast route from Blackpool to Scarborough which he covered in two days and has done the Tour de Manc, a 110-mile one-day route.
Chris admitted to being nervous as just before he was due to a coast-to-coast cycle four years ago, he was involved in a hit-and-run crash at Stanley Square, Stalybridge.
He ended up in hospital having to have his shoulder pinned and was out of action for 10 months.
“As I have been given so much money, it puts pressure on me to complete the ride,” he explained.
“Any donations would be greatly received and help fund important and life changing research.”
• To sponsor Chris, go online to his Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chris-smithlejog