ASHBOURNE businessman Peter Gadsby is calling on the town to help him raise money for the British Heart Foundation as he takes on two gruelling endurance challenges.
The property developer behind Waterside Park and former Derby County chairman took to two wheels with a group of fund-raisers to cross the Sinai Desert in Egypt at the weekend.
And as soon as he returned from the 260 mile ride he was getting ready to switch his bike for his boots and tackle the 17 mile High Peak Winter Trail Challenge.
He hopes both challenges combined could see him raise more than £13,000 for the heart disease charity.
He said: “I have been cycling the Derbyshire hills for five years but I have never taken on a challenge like this before. I know it will be tough but I am really looking forward to the challenge and visiting such a spectacular country.
“We will be camping out under the stars on two nights and finishing on the shores of the Red Sea and I will be raising funds for the BHF as well.” Mr Gadsby and the team will have to endure desert temperatures of up to 26C as they cycle through the Sinai triangle, which is twice the size of Belgium, and part of the Sahara Belt.
A week after he returns home, the businessman will be donning his hiking boots and preparing for a drastic change in climate as he takes part in the High Peak Trail Winter Challenge — his fourth attempt at the annual event.
The 17 mile hike through Derbyshire’s spectacular Peak district, on Sunday is one of the region’s most popular events and Mr Gadsby will join more than 1,000 walkers hoping to raise £100,000 for the pioneering work of the BHF.
He said: “Walking is one of my favourite pastimes and despite the fact that the weather can sometimes be bad, I love to take part in this event. It is very well supported and the people who take part are very passionate about the cause and there is a great atmosphere on the day.
“It is an enjoyable walk, the scenery is fantastic and it is wonderfully organised. It will be a lot colder than the Sinai but I am delighted to be taking part again and I would encourage as many people as possible to sign up to what is a great event and help the BHF raise funds to fight heart disease.” British Heart Foundation Event Organiser Daniel Routt said: “it is great to see Peter is supporting us once again, not only by taking part in the High Peak Winter Trail but also with his cycle across Egypt.
“I also encourage businesses and teams to come to the Peak District and take on this 17 mile challenge, have fun and save lives.” To find out more about the charity Mr Gadsby is supporting, or to make a donation, visit www.actionforcharity.co.uk/bigheart