Hilperton man Terry Sinclair is preparing to use his newly refurbished recycled bike from the Trowbridge Bike Workshop to cycle from Lands End to John O’Groats in aid of Julian House.

Instead of having a big party to celebrate his 50th birthday, Mr Sinclair decided to take on the epic ride from March 10, aiming to raise at least £2,000 for the charity.

A year ago Mr Sinclair bought his wife a refurbished bike from the Bath Bike Workshop, a social enterprise run by the charity which provides training and work experience for vulnerable and homeless people.

Impressed by the work it does, and following the opening of Julian House’s second Bike Workshop in Trowbridge, Mr Sinclair had the idea to ride the length of the country.

Mr Sinclair said: “I’m over the moon with what the guys have achieved. I wanted to support Julian House and the Bike Workshop.

“By giving them a skill and a positive future the charity helps folk, who have slipped through society’s net, to get back on track.

“The fact that the Bike Workshop offers the community recycled bikes, refurbished to a high standard, and at great prices is, in my book, a win-win situation. My ride will be on one of their bikes and will hopefully help to show what a great job they do.”

With advice from the team at the workshop Terry chose a second-hand Orange Clockwork model and has worked closely with staff and volunteers to refurbish it to cope with the demands of covering 900 miles in 14 days.

He added: “What was just a vague pipe-dream to mark a landmark birthday now seems to be really gaining momentum. At the moment I’m managing practice rides of around 70 miles, about the average daily distance I need to achieve.”

Bike Workshop Trowbridge depends on donated bikes which can be dropped off anytime between 9am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday.

To sponsor Terry go to the Bike Workshop in Duke Street or www.just giving.com/le-jog50/