Cyclist to visit Halifax care homes with Queen's card

A 69-year-old cyclist who is touring England will visit two care homes in Halifax on Friday, March 25 so they can sign a 90th birthday card for the Queen.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Mar 2016, 14:45 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2016, 15:34 BST
Queen Elizabeth II picture courtesy of Chris Radburn/PA WireQueen Elizabeth II picture courtesy of Chris Radburn/PA Wire
Queen Elizabeth II picture courtesy of Chris Radburn/PA Wire

Terry Keen, from Surrey, will be popping into Anchor’s Sandholme Fold care home where he will be welcomed by Betty Brearley, before attending Trinity Fold care home in Blackwell.

Residents will be lining the entrance to the property to cheer on Terry after completing the latest leg of his 1,400-mile journey across England.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As well as collecting more than an estimated 3,000 signatures on the specially-designed birthday card, charity cyclist Terry is asking people to make donations to charity Grandparent Plus.

The charity has revealed there are 580 children in Calderdale being raised by grandparents and other family members because their parents are unable to do so, often as a result of difficult family circumstances.

Leading the welcoming party at Trinity Fold care home is Alan Brearley who has been presented with the Calderdale coat of arms badge in recognition for his commitment to Calderdale and textiles.

Alan said everyone wanted to attend the welcome party for Terry as it was an impressive challenge he was undertaking.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “It’s really something that Terry is travelling around the whole of England to bring this birthday card for older people and Anchor staff to sign. It means so much to us because we all think very highly of Her Majesty.”

Terry, who has been on the road since March 14, said: “It has been very tiring cycling all this way and I have many more miles to go but knowing it’s for a good cause and the cheers I’ve received at different Anchor care homes and retirement properties has really spurred me on.

“I really admire the Queen for all her hard work and for being such a wonderful ambassador for the country. I wanted to give something special to her on her 90th birthday so thought why not a birthday card signed by older people from across the country.

“The Queen and I are both grandparents so it seemed relevant to raise money for Grandparents Plus which is such a worthwhile charity.”

Anyone wanting to donate to Grandparents Plus or find out about Tour de Terry can go to www.anchor.org.uk/Terry or follow him on Twitter with the hashtag: #TourDeTerry.

Related topics:QueenHalifaxEnglandSurrey