Iron Butt challenge: Tereasa and Dave Hawkins tackle 1,000-mile motorbike endurance event this weekend from Titchfield to Land's End and John O'Groats
The Iron Butt challenge will see a married couple ride from Titchfield to Land’s End - and the John O’Groats
A couple will be be risking sore backsides after taking part in an 1,000-mile endurance challenge in aid of a good cause.
Tereasa Hawkins and her husband Dave will complete a journey of 1,038 miles, known as the Iron Butt challenge, on motorbikes this weekend.
They will ride from Titchfield to Lands’ End in Cornwall, and then on to John O’Groats in Scotland, on their motorbikes, a Can-Am Spyder and a Can-Am Canyon. The aim is to complete the route in 24 hours.
After finding out her colleague’s daughter was undergoing treatment for cancer, Tereasa said: “We decided, my husband and I, that we wanted to do a charity ride”.
When asked, the colleague’s family asked Dave and Tereasa to raise money for Abby’s Heroes, a charity which is supporting their daughter during her treatment.
The Park Gate-based Abby’s Heroes helps children with cancer as well as their families. As a charity it aims to offer financial and practical help, as well as the opportunity to make lasting memories with the children, young adults and their families.
Tereasa and Dave are hoping to raise money for this charity by setting out from Titchfield Shell garage at 10pm on Saturday, July 4, and returning the following day. Abbycorn, the unicorn mascot of the charity, will be at the start as a reminder of what the pair are doing, and all support is welcome.
Although having both been riding motorbikes for a very long time, Tereasa said: “This’ll be the first time we’ve done something as crazy as this.”
Tereasa is turning 55 this year, and her husband 59. Amidst feelings of apprehension and nervousness, Tereasa has also spoken of her excitement and expressed how she is “really looking forward to it”.
She said: “I hope the adrenaline’s going to keep me going - it’s going to be amazing.”
On the Saturday, before they depart, Dave and Tereasa are planning to “sleep a lot during the day” to be able to stay awake for the first overnight stretch of their journey, and the pair will also have support at set points of the ride in order to motivate and encourage them.
Tereasa also expressed the hope that, as the best outcome for accomplishment, people will donate to Abby’s Heroes, the importance of the charity stressed as “whatever the family needs, they will help”.