FOOTBALL manager and mental health lecturer Tony Gill is preparing to cycle 400 miles in five days to raise money for good causes close to his heart.

Tony, who lives in Giggleswick and is manager of Burley Trojans, Burley-in-Wharfedale, plans to cycle from the Lords cricket ground in London to Gargrave.

Setting off in June, just after his 61st birthday, he plans to cycle about 80 miles every day, mainly along canal towpaths, stopping off at 61 sports venues along the way, some big, some small, and one for each of his 61 years.

Tony, who had originally planned to do it last year, but his 60th birthday got in the way, said: "I intend to cycle from Lords- the home of cricket across to Twickenham then over to Brentford football club before setting off up the towpaths of the Grand Union Canal to Birmingham, across to Tamworth, Coventry and Stoke, Macclesfield and up to Manchester, round the Rochdale ring and across to Leeds and finish at Gargrave."

He will be raising money and awareness of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND) and Manorlands Hospice. He will also be raising money to build a new clubhouse for Burley Trojans Football Club, where he has been a supporter and manager for 20 years.

He said: "I’ve added our clubhouse project for Burley Trojans, we need a focal point for our local community, and we are hoping to have a new clubhouse built which can help the next generations play and develop as well as bringing the community together. It won't just be a football clubhouse it will enable support groups to flourish such as mental health support and become a valuable and important resource for our community."

To donate, visit: Manorlands https://www.justgiving.com/page/tony-gill-1680861137562; MND https://www.justgiving.com/page/tony-gill-1680862102423, or Burley Trojans Football club https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/burley-trojans-clubhouse