Howard is pictured setting off from Aylesbury Fire Station.

1 June 2009

An intrepid cyclist began his epic 1,500-mile fundraising journey from Aylesbury Fire Station to Spain this morning.

Watch Manager Howard Pipkin was waved off at 9.30am by his wife Elaine, sons Tom, 12, and Mat, 10, and friends and colleagues.

Howard plans to cycle to the English coast and then through France and Andorra, finishing up in Torrevieja in Spain. He is due to return – by plane – on 20 June.

The money he raises will be shared between The Fire Fighters Charity, Stoke Mandeville Hospital Eye Unit Appeal and the Andrew Peel Family Fund.

Andrew was a friend of his who died suddenly last year, leaving behind a wife and two children.

Howard has already raised about £600 at stationary cycling displays at Friars Square and Hale Leys shopping centres in Aylesbury. During these events, he also encouraged more than 30 people to sign up for free safety checks in their homes (see below for more details).

Before he left this morning, Howard said: “Many thanks to everyone for their generous donations so far, and to all the friends and colleagues who have helped me.”

Howard has an online sponsorship page at www.justgiving.com/howardpipkin

If you would like to arrange for Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service to carry out a free safety check in your home, and fit free smoke alarms where necessary, book an appointment by ringing 01296 744477, emailing cs@bucksfire.gov.uk or filling in the online form.