A VOLUNTEER who is cycling 1,100 miles for a Cumbrian charity has garnered the support of two sporting legends.

David Davenport will embark on the challenge of a lifetime to cycle around the UK in a bid to raise cash for the Lake District Calvert Trust. His efforts have been recognised by Paralympian and parliamentarian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and world superbike racing champion Carl Fogarty.

The pair will support the 54-year-old’s challenge by retweeting his Twitter ride reports and updates to their hundreds of thousands of followers.

Mr Davenport has been a residential volunteer at the Keswick charity for two years and wanted to raise money for the centre and awareness of its work with people with disabilities.

He will set off on his cycle challenge on May 7 and finish on May 23. His route will see him travel across Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire, Shropshire, Somerset, Devon, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, North Yorkshire, Northumbria, the Borders and back to the centre at Keswick.

He will also complete the cycle on his own - unsupported and camp each night.

Mr Davenport, who has been a member of Cycling UK for 14 years, said: “Although I love cycling, I’m a very lazy fella so this is going to be a huge challenge for me over 17 days. I’ll be carrying all my own camping equipment as well.

“I have helped groups of children with autism and severe learning difficulties and adults with spinal cord injuries and spina bifida.

“One of the activities they run is cycling and they have a fleet of heavily-used TMX bikes and handcycles.

Mr Davenport, who lives near Clitheroe, retired as a police officer with Lancashire Constabulary in 2012. He wanted to do charity work which also incorporated his love of cycling and the outdoors. He hopes to raise £5,000 for the centre.

The trust is a charity which provides activity and adventure holidays for disabled people from the whole of the UK at their outdoor centre near Keswick.

Donate to the cause at: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/3cbr.