ISLAND resident Steve Shimmin is tackling a major cycling challenge in order to raise funds for The Children’s Centre.

Steve, a consultant with MAC Financial, will ride the 970 miles route from Land’s End to John O’Groats at the end of May. The ride is expected to take nine days.

Steve, who is a keen cyclist and chairman of the Isle of Man Cycling Association, will be joining a team of seven for the charity ride. It starts on May 20 .

“I’ve done a lot of cycling over the years but Lands End to John o’Groats is a challenge I’ve always wanted to complete,” he said.

“I’m aware of all the essential work which The Children’s Centre does across the Island, and raising money for the charity will give me and the team extra motivation when times get tough.

“I’m grateful to everyone who has sponsored me, and to my colleagues at MAC Financial who have all made contributions. I’ve also been given two extra days leave for the trip which is another generous gesture of support.”

Jon McGowan, MAC Financial managing director, added, "We are delighted to be supporting Steve in this very worthy and also demanding cause. It’s a great event to be undertaking and we wish Steve and the rest of the team all the very best in their endeavour."

With Steve on the charity ride will be The Children’s Centre Chief Executive John Knight and the charity’s Residential Team Member Jim Murphy. Also riding for The Children’s Centre are Mark Humphrey, of Long and Humphrey Advocates who is also a director of the charity, and Andy Parker, who is a personal trainer.

The team is completed by Paul Warburton and Chris Palmer, who both work at Coutts, and are raising money for the NSPCC which is the company’s chosen charity in the UK.

Shoprite is sponsoring the team’s cycling jerseys and the Bikestyle cycle shop on Bucks Road, Douglas, has provided energy bars, drinks and cycle spares for the trip.

To donate to The Children’s Centre fundraisers go to www.thechildrenscentre.org.im and click on the ‘donate online’ button, quoting LEJOG.