A VIRTUAL cycle ride from Tavistock to its twin town of Pontivy in France is being pedalled for a South American-based charity this month.
David Chanter, a personal trainer who has worked with Olympic athlete Kate Allenby in the past, is pedalling the 300km distance on an exercise bike in the gymnasium of Brown?s Hotel in Tavistock.
David hopes to ?leave? the town on Tuesday 18 February, hopefully arriving home again on February 20.
He is raising money for the Happy Child Mission in Brazil ? the UK co-ordinator for the charity is Elena Williams, wife of Whitchurch curate the Rev Andrew Williams.
Martin Ball, manager of Brown?s, said: ?We are pleased to put the new gym to such good use. Perhaps we should contact the Guinness Book of Records and nominate him as the first person ever to cycle across the English Channel!?
Anyone who would like to support David?s sponsored cycle ride can call into Brown?s in West Street, where a collection box and sponsorship forms are available.
Sponsors can also call in to the hotel to check on David?s progress on the route on a map of Brittany.