CHARITY CYCLE FROM BRISTOL TO PALMA

By Humphrey Carter ON July 1st Peter and Paul Ayres will mount up and set off on a charity cycle ride from Bristol to Palma in aid of their late father who died in April and to raise money for the Nazareth Orphanage in Palma. The late Peter Ayres was a regular visitor to Palma, where he grew up, and throughout his life was an ardent supporter of the Nazareth orphanage. Peter Ayres senior suddenly passed away while waiting to board an easyJet plane to Palma at Bristol airport. Paul explained that for both he and his brother, “dad was our best friend, our mentor, our confidante. He had been an enormous inspiration to us and had been the guiding force in our lives since the death of my mother from cancer when we were teenagers. “Dad was from the ‘old school' and his priority was without exception to do things ‘in the proper manner'. It seems fitting that as a final mark of respect for our much loved Dad we finish his final journey for him in the proper manner.” Money raised from the 1'000 mile trip will be shared between Nazareth and the Variety Club, two of Peter Ayres senior's chosen charities. “Dad would have wanted us to do something for a charity on the island that he had loved for 50 years,” Paul added. Paul had hoped that he and his brother would have completed the cycle in time to watch the World Cup final in Majorca, but he was forced to admit yesterday that, providing they start on July 1, they probably will not reach Palma until July 12. However, unlike their father who would cruise down in the Jaguar stopping at fine French Hotels, their trip is going to be slightly more uncomfortable as they are going to be camping en route. What is more, according to Peter, brother Paul is not too sure what a mountain bike or tent looks like yet!. easyJet was quick to help sponsor the charity ride and ITV are also going to be filming parts of the trip. A website has also been set up: www.dadsfinaljourney.com for those who wish to help the brothers raise money.