Meols jeweller picks up fundraiser of the year award after raising £14,800 through cycle challenge

Dec 21 2011 by Lorna Hughes, Heswall News

A JEWELLER from Meols marked a milestone birthday by taking on a gruelling 200-mile cycle challenge.

Pete Seeger originally pledged to raise £5,000 for Clatterbridge Cancer Research by taking part in the expedition in Jordan last month.

But the 60-year-old went on to become the charity’s fundraiser of the year after raising a whopping £14,800 – and lost four stones in the process.

He said: “I got involved in working for Clatterbridge Cancer Research because my former wife was diagnosed with cancer.

“She was successfully treated but I stayed involved in raising money for research because so many people are touched by the disease.

“I’ve done everything from selling raffle tickets to abseiling. I’ve promised though that this big bike ride is the last major thing for me.

“Unless of course I get to 65 and decide to mark that!”

Mr Seeger, who last rode a bike in 1999 when he cycled across China for charity, was originally due to cycle the Nile.

But unrest in Egypt meant the charity had to switch to a much hillier route in Jordan.

Despite focusing on his fitness and adjusting his diet to prepare, he found the new destination – and day of trekking added by the organisers – a daunting prospect.

He said: “It was probably cooler than Egypt, but the terrain was much more challenging.

“We finished on the Red Sea and I celebrated with a couple of pints, my first in ages.

“Although the bike is still set up on the trainer in the garage, I haven’t been on it since!”

Mr Seeger’s boss and his colleagues at Milton’s Jewellers all sponsored him and the former Caldy player was also supported by Wirral’s rugby community.

He estimates that around half of the money he raised was down to Caldy and other local rugby club members.

One individual, who asked not to be named, donated £5,000.

Mr Seeger was surprised with his fundraiser of the year award and a celebration cake when he returned to work at Milton’s.

Jo Parry, director at Clatterbridge Cancer Research, said: “It’s people like Pete who have helped this charity find the funding to continue the fight against cancer year on year.