Cycling butcher racks up £7,000 for Parkinson's charity (From Enfield Independent)
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Cycling butcher Michael Peatchey racks up £7,000 for Parkinson's charity
4:00pm Wednesday 29th August 2012 in News By Hermione Wright
Cyclists Craig Hunt, Stuart Levene, Les Roberts and Michael Peatchey welcomed back to Enfield yesterday
A butcher who cycled from Lands End to his Grange Park shop has raised more than £7,000 for charity.
Michael Peatchey, who was diagnosed with the neurological disease Parkinson’s two years ago, raised the hefty sum for The Cure Parkinson’s Trust, which is a charity dedicated to curing the disease.
The 60-year-old set off on the 360-mile journey from Cornwall on Sunday and was welcomed back to the borough by more than 100 friends, family and supporters yesterday evening.
Mr Peatchey, who has owned Fine Foods in The Grangeway since 1984 and is now semi-retired, said: “I am aching quite a bit today but it was incredible.
“I cycled for 24 hours over three days so it was quite a good effort, I feel really good.”
He set out to raise £5,000 for the good cause but has exceeded that through generous donations from friends and family.
The butcher, from Enfield Lock, said his journey yesterday was difficult as his satellite navigation system sent him on a 30-mile detour as he was cycling back into London.
He said the ride out of Cornwall was difficult due to the steep incline and he was also caught in the middle of a group of cyclists who were carrying out a time trial.
He said: “It took me back to my younger days when I was riding more often.”
At this stage, the father-of-one is unsure as to whether he will carry out any more charity bike rides but is certain he will continue with his training.
Mr Peatchey, who spent 30 years cycling with the Finsbury Park Cycling Club, said: “We will see what happens but I shall keep it up for the fitness levels because I have got myself pretty trim which is a positive.”
The butcher, who also aimed to increase awareness of the disease, thanked his friends, family, customers and supporters for their donations and their support.
He was joined by his son-in-law Craig Hunt and friends Stuart Levene and Les Roberts for the final day of his journey yesterday.
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