THESE determined brothers and good friends have 100 good reasons for you to support their fundraising drive for the British Heart Foundation.
Andy Ecclestone, 28, brother Chris, 33, and six of their friends will hopefully complete a 100-mile cycle ride in just 24 hours.
The event is in memory of the brothers' father Dave, who died after suffering a heart attack and crashing his car on his way home from work in March.
Mr Ecclestone, 57, of New Waltham, was driving along Estate Road 1 on South Humberside Industrial Estate, Grimsby, when he was taken ill. He sadly died in hospital the following day.
On July 7, the pair are heading back to some of his old haunts in Leeds for a ride they hope will bring back as many memories as it will bring in cash for the charity.
The brothers will be joined in the mammoth ride by Andrew Cooper, 28 – the manager of the Parkway – Mike Wright, 24, Keith Dixon, 42, Lee Briggs, 34, Ian Sommerville, 28, and Iain McLachlan, 28, will provide the team's support vehicle.
Andy said: "We will be starting at the Bay Horse, in Farsley, West Leeds, where mum and dad first met.
"From there, we will be going through Headingley and along Elland Road – dad was a big rugby league and football fan – across the North Bank and over the bridge.
"When we get back into Lincolnshire, we will be going past BASF – where dad worked with Chris and Keith – visiting the scene where he had the accident, and finishing at the Harvest Moon, New Waltham."
The group are already training hard, sticking to a programme made up of guidelines from the BHF website and a diet and fitness plan devised by their sponsor Fytche Fitness.
Andrew Cooper said: "We are trying to do one long run-out a week and shorter rides every other day.
"Our sheer determination is going to get us through it."
Dave's wife Diane and his son Steve, 30, said they were very proud of what the team were doing.
Diane said: "I'm really proud of them. Ever since it happened they have been marvellous. Everyone has – family, friends, work."
ON THE WEB: For details of how to sponsor the team, see www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk
