Web developer, Shane Prendergast, is set to cycle 3,200 miles from San Francisco to New York in just 28 days in a bid to raise £10,000 to support children coping with deafness or cancer.

Pedaling in his father’s track, Shane will begin his long ride on the 1st September 2016 at Stein IAS’ San Francisco office in aid of Action on Hearing Loss and CLIC Sargent, two charities extremely close to his heart. Crossing 11 states and four time zones, he will average a grueling 120 miles per day before reaching the agencies New York base in Manhattan on 28th September.

Shane commented: “Although a novice myself, I’ve always had an interest in cycling having watched my dad conquer a number of punishing bike rides across the US, Australia, Canada and around the coast of Britain, raising over £50,000 for various UK charities. 20 years later, I’ve decided to follow in his tracks by taking on what was one of his favorite and most challenging rides to support two charities I’m very passionate about.”

Shane has chosen two charities which support children facing difficult challenges at a young age, both of which he has personal experience of. He is raising money for Action on Hearing Loss, a charity which supports children and their families across the UK and aims to create a world where hearing loss doesn’t limit or label people. At the age of 12, Shane began to suffer from significant hearing loss and the age of just 21, was profoundly deaf. Through his fundraising he hopes to help children facing similar challenges to himself as they grow up hearing difficulties.

With personal experience of dealing with cancer as a child, after a close family member was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, Shane is also raising money for CLIC Sargent. The charity provides support to young cancer patients and their families, helping them deal with the impact of cancer - its treatment, life after treatment and, in some cases, bereavement.

“With the ride being almost 40% longer than the Tour De France, temperatures reaching up to 90 °F and altitude of over 9,000 ft through the Rocky Mountains, it’s safe to say the ride isn’t for the faint-hearted. But with this support of family, friends and colleagues, I’ve been able to invest the best part of a year into training, and am truly honored to have Azolt, Homebuilder Scarborough and Grip Cycles on board as sponsors”, added Shane.

Attacking various terrains from the Rocky Mountains to the Great Lake states and the quaint towns throughout the US, Shane will reach elevations of 9000ft with a support team by his side. Shane has already succeeded in raising over £2500 through various initiatives including a Stein IAS Fitness Bootcamp, a Pancake Cook Off and Beauty raffle. Fundraising will continue over the next five months, culminating in a fundraising and bon voyage party in his hometown of Scarborough two days before Shane departs for the US.

Ensuring that all money raised will go directly to those that need it most, the ride is entirely funded by Shane himself. Putting his web development skills to good use, Shane has also created a web page for the ride, detailing everything from his chosen charities to the route he will be taking.

For more information about Shane’s ride and to donate, visit: http://rideforthechild.co.uk

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