Poole to Cardiff in one day for Robert (From Bournemouth Echo)

Poole to Cardiff in one day for Robert

7:00am Tuesday 1st July 2008 in

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BIG-HEARTED Pirates fan Robert Hawkins wants other supporters of the club to dig deep into their pockets to support injured speedway riders.

Hawkins got on his bike again to raise funds for the Speedway Riders' Benevolent Fund when he cycled 165 miles from Poole to Cardiff in one day.

He had completed the same journey alongside friend Rod Green and Ipswich rider Steve Johnston ahead of last year's British Grand Prix.

He did the same this time, but completed the trip in one day, not two, this time.

Hawkins, who had raised funds for injured ex-Pirate Krzysztof Cegielski in 2007, said: "I rode this time to raise awareness among speedway fans of those riders who are currently seriously injured.

"I spoke to Garry Stead, who broke his back last year, and to be honest, people like him are inspirational.

"Garry wants to be involved in bringing more youngsters into the sport.

"He also wants to be able to get involved with the British under-21s.

"If he can do that, with a broken back, I can certainly cycle to Cardiff from Poole to help raise awareness of his situation, and the situation of other guys like him.

"So I'd be grateful if speedway fans across the country would consider sponsoring me in retrospect, with all the money going to the Speedway Riders' Benevolent Fund."

Hawkins, who hopes his fundraising will also benefit former riders like Laurence Hare, Joe Owen and Alan Wilkinson and attract sponsorship from fans of other clubs around the country, added: "I'm delighted to have completed the cycle again.

"A couple of years ago I wouldn't even have been able to cycle five miles.

"To do it in one day is just incredible.

"To be able to cycle from Poole to Cardiff on my own is something I would not even have dreamed about two years ago."

If you want to back Hawkins's sponsored cycle, send cheques, made payable to Speedway Riders' Benevolent Fund, to Bernard Crapper, Speedway Riders' Benevolent Fund, ACU House, Wood Street, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 2YX.

Write bike ride' on the back of the cheque.