A parish councillor at East Tytherley is undertaking a solo bike ride from Land’s End to John o’ Groats to raise money for a village playground and woodland.

The ride is 874 miles long.

Steve Edwards has taken up the challenge to support Dalgety Family Playing Field, where the East Tytherley village playground is located.

The playpark, which opened in 2010 after many years of fundraising and planning, is a very popular destination for families from the village and further afield.

But after eleven successful years, the playground is in need of some repairs and enhancement to ensure it remains available for families to enjoy.

The park needs refencing, hedging the boundaries, creating additional habitat for birds and small mammals and and improving safety. The woodland requires a number of poor condition trees to be removed with new ones planted. Bird and bat boxes will also be put in the trees.

Mr Edwards wrote: “I will be attempting to cycle unsupported from Land’s End to John o' Groats but rather than just do it for fun I thought it was worth putting the effort to a good cause in my local community.

“East Tytherley is a small village in the Test Valley with its key family hub being the village playground. The play area is set in a beautiful landscape adjacent to the village church, which dates back to Saxon times.

“The park is on a protected site of archaeological interest. Because of its location in a safe rural environment, it attracts families not only from the village but from surrounding villages and wider afield. It makes the perfect place to enjoy a family picnic in a tranquil setting.

“Adults are able to meet together whilst the children enjoy the park's play area, which includes a large field area to kick a ball about or throw a frisbee! Alongside the park is a strip of woodland and from the church public footpaths go off in various directions.

The park and its infrastructure, which was originally created after significant fund raising 11 years ago is in need of refurbishment and enhancement. The cost to do the first phase of the work is estimated at £10,000.”

As of now, 75 people have together contributed £2,65 for his mission.

East Tytherley parish council chairman Rob Scoones said Mr Edwards has been a much-valued councillor for several years.

Mr Scoones added: “Covid has challenged us with the planning of fundraising events. So when Steve offered to undertake the mammoth bike ride to fundraise, it sounded like a great idea, and we were keen to support him.

“Steve has been a much-valued councillor for a number of years, and very much enjoys the outdoor life, cycling, mountaineering, and walking. We will be following his progress on his blog and hoping the weather is kind to him!”

If you wish to support Mr Edward, click here.