Businesses support Great Grandad Tony Newton’s 500 mile charity cycle challenge

Lancashire businesses are getting behind a great grandad from Heskin, Chorley who is taking on a 523-mile cycle challenge for charity in his 92nd year.

Tony Newton will be setting off on May 10 on a TransPennine bike ride to raise funds for St James’s Place Charitable Foundation in aid of Inspire Youth Zone, Chorley.

In addition, St James’s Place will match fund every pound raised by Tony providing grants for even more charities helping children and young people.

Among the companies already supporting Tony include: The Chorley Group, which has motor dealerships across the county; FWP Group, Preston; ARW wealth management, Eccleston; CG law, Chorley; Centurion blast cleaning, Farington; Westmorland Family Farmshops, Cumbria; Cool Canvas, Bolton; Morgan Bros, Chorley; Wallwork Nelson and Johnson, Preston; Eccleston Dry Cleaning, Eccleston and Café Manna, Eccleston and Preston North End.

Tony will be setting off his home in Heskin, Chorley, Lancashire to start an epic challenge as he heads towards Derbyshire.  

Using a mix of roads and cycle paths he will cross Lancashire and Yorkshire reaching the coast at Bridlington.

Tony will be accompanied at the start by his wife, Dorothy, 88, and other family members, together with friends from Mawdesley U3A Cycling group.  

In his teens Tony raced on track and road flying the Chorley cycling club banner. 

Tony was introduced to Inspire Youth Zone by his grandaughter, Hannah Wotherspoon who was impressed by the facilities for young people.

It has become his chosen charity, and he has already completed three other challenges.

Two of them were in Scotland and one in France which have already raised £22,652 in the last three years.

When added together with £9,985 from St James’s Place Charitable Foundation, a staggering total of £32,637 has been raised for Inspire.

The Youth Zone regularly has more than 1,000 visits each week from young people, many of whom face their own personal challenges.

The charity relies on community support to raise the £1.6m needed each year to keep their doors open.

Tony said: “Cycling through the open countryside is the thing that has kept me going throughout my lifetime.  

"Every year for the past 15 years I have gone on a solo trek for a week or more in addition to the special challenges.

"I have been cycling since I was five when I got my first bike to cycle to school. I hope my efforts inspire others to stay active and support the good cause which is Inspire Youth Zone. 

Granddaughter Hannah, said: “We are so proud of grandad for his achievements in sport and fundraising.  

"He shows that age is not a barrier to keeping fit or an obstacle to making a difference. He is a huge inspiration to us all. 

Janine Blythe, chief executive of Inspire Youth Zone, said: “What Tony is taking on at 91 years old is nothing short of extraordinary.

"His determination and generosity is truly inspiring and we are incredibly grateful that he has chosen to once again support Inspire Youth Zone.

"Every mile he cycles and every pound he raises will help us be there for young people who need us most.

"Tony is proving that age is no barrier to making a difference and we’ll be cheering him on every step of the way.”

Lisa Cousins of St James’s Place Charitable Foundation, said: “Inspire Youth Zone does such important work for young people in Chorley - giving them opportunities, support, and a sense of belonging that can make a real difference in their lives.

"Tony’s story is so uplifting, and I am sure that his determination and commitment to making a difference will inspire others to take action.”

Follow Tony’s epic challenge on Facebook

Tony Newton 2026 North England 500-mile cycle challenge

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575419250296

If you would like to support Tony and help him raise funds, please visit his just giving page

https://www.justgiving.com/page/tony-newton-500-miles

For more information on the work of Inspire Youth Zone, Chorley please visit https://www.inspireyouthzone.org/ or follow them on social media

For information about St James’s Place Charitable Foundation, please visit

https://www.sjpfoundation.co.uk/