Mum and son to cycle 137-mile C2C route for Open Country charity

Sharron Smith and her son Harvey Leak-Smith, 19, will be tackling the 137-mile route of the C2C, from the Irish Sea at Whitehaven to the North Sea at Sunderland. The pair will be raising money along the way for Open Country, the charity Sharron works for, which helps people with a disability to access and enjoy the Yorkshire countryside.

Sharron and Harvey aim to complete the route in just two days, taking in steep Lake District ascents and brutal Pennine climbs upto almost 2,000ft above sea level.

Open Country, in Harrogate, gives people with a disability the chance to get out into the countryside by providing a variety of activities including walking, cycling, conservation, nature study and outings. The charity also produces the free downloadable Countryside Directories and ‘Breakfree’ packs to help people of all abilities access the outdoors.

Sharron leads the charity’s ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ weekday walking group and ‘Nature & Natterers’.

She said: “I really wanted to do something to help get Open Country back on its feet as we ease out of lockdown. It’s been a tough few months for small charities and our members have missed out on the therapeutic benefits of getting out into the countryside as a group. Fundraising has become increasingly important to our future activities and so we wanted to do our bit to help. It is an honour to work for a charity doing such great things for both people and conservation in Yorkshire.”

To support Sharron, visit https://bit.ly/2OFFUed.