The 66-year-old is a long-standing supporter of Ottery’s skate park and is embarking on the challenge this month.
A 66-year-old cyclist will be tackling a 400km, cross-border ride in Cyprus to raise funds for Ottery’s skate park.
Although not a skater himself, Trevor Leahong has been a long-standing supporter of the site and is embarking on the challenge for the benefit of the town’s youngsters.
Ottery’s first and only skate park, which opened in 2010 by The King’s School, is now in need of improvements.
Trevor hopes to help fund the necessary work and also pay for four young people to be trained as ambassadors with Sk8 Safe – a company that aims to promote diversity through skating.
Ambassadors would be trained to promote the sport, inspire others and oversee the development of the park.
Trevor explained that he got involved with the skate park group in 2002 and helped to overcome ‘many difficulties’ to get it off the ground.
“It was a long, hard struggle,” he said.
“When we opened the park, I stood down as a trustee, but carried on being involved with the landscaping.”
Trevor explained it was a recent visit from his 12-year-old grandson - a keen skater - that inspired him to embark on his sponsored cycle to help bring about improvements and enable youngsters to get the most out of the site.
Elli Pang (now a town councillor) spearheaded the campaign to open the park. “With the opportunity to train young people as ambassadors, we hope to hand over some of the responsibility to young people,” she said.
“The cost of training each person is £100 so the money will be gratefully received.”
The journey from Karpaz in the east of Cyprus to Akamas in the west will take 10 days, covering approximately 40km a day and will cross through both Turkish-speaking and Greek-speaking sectors of the country.
Cypriots and 15 other people from the UK will make up the cycling group, who also aim to promote and support unity in the divided country.
Anyone willing to sponsor Trevor can visit Ottery Tourist Information Centre, or call manager, Phyllis on 01404 813964.
Alternatively, email t.leahong@hotmail.com to make a pledge, leaving a name and phone number.
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