Blind police call handler raises over £5,700 from cycle challenge

Anthony Bristowe, 60, from Bradford-on-Avon, arrived back in Bradford on Avon at 3.15pm to an “amazing” reception at Timbrell’s Yard attended by around 60 people, including guide dogs and guide dog puppies.

He was partnered during the six-day ride by his friend, Simon Taylor, whom he met through singing with the Sounding It Out choir in Trowbridge.

Anthony said:”It was an amazing welcome. For the last 40 miles were we were accompanied by up to 24 other cyclists, including the Wiltshire Police chief constable Mike Veale.

Mr Bristow works in the Wiltshire Police Crime & Communications Centre in Devizes on the 101 central call handling team, accompanied by his black Labrador guide dog Nimmo.

He joined Wiltshire Police three years ago and has suffered from macular degeneration since the age of 11.

As Nimmo is now reaching retirement, Anthony wanted to show his appreciation for the tremendous support he has received over the years from the Guide Dogs charity.

“We had a brilliant ride and arrived home on schedule. The weather was good for most of the week, we caught a little bit of the hurricane on the Monday.

“Simon was a really good companion and pilot. He didn’t take any risks and found some lovely quite lanes and roads to cycle. The toughest part was going through the Blackdown Hills from Honiton.”

He and Simon were accompanied on their ride by Anthony’s cousin, Veryan Graham and her husband Peter.

The couple own The George Inn at Croscombe so naturally the group stopped there on the way home for lunch on Saturday before tackling the last 40 miles to Bradford on Avon.

The tandem ride has so far raised more than £5,700 for the Guide Dogs charity and took them from Land’s End to St Agnes, Bodmin, Okehampton, Honiton and Somerton.

If you wish to support Anthony and Simon, please go to their Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/findingnimmo