Father and son ride 1040 miles in under 24 hours in charity challenge

A Newcastle-based father and son biking duo have raised around £3500 for defibrillator and diabetes charities by riding over 1000 miles in under 24 hours.

Lee Atherton and his father Neil Atherton set off north from Newcastle-upon-Tyne towards Scotland at midnight on Thursday, June 17, covering 1040 miles over 23 hours and 15 minutes and taking in various iconic roads along the way, including elements of the epic North Coast 500.

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“It was an awesome ride,” Lee, 38, told MCN. “It was pretty close to the lightest night of the year, but we set off mid-week to avoid the traffic.”

The ride nicknamed the NC1000 was inspired by Lee’s son Taylor, who tragically passed away aged 14 of an undiagnosed heart condition in 2016, plus his daughter Lois who has type 1 diabetes.

Having initially set out to raise £500, the pair’s Just Giving page now stands at £3500, which will be split between North East Hearts with Goals, plus a diabetes charity to be decided. Some of the money will also be held back for local organisations.

Lee continued: “After losing Taylor my dad got me out on the bikes, riding for miles and miles and hours and hours. It helped me not to completely fall apart. I’ve never thanked my dad for this, but I love him for it.”

To donate to this most worthy of causes, please visit: Lee and Neil’s Just Giving page and give generously.