Bishop's Castle resident set for mammoth Snowdon cycling fundraiser

A decade after raising funds to help save Bishop’s Castle leisure centre from closure, one local resident is preparing for an extraordinary cycling challenge.

Dave Luckhurst, 78, will be cycling up Snowdon, also known as Yr Wyddfa, in support of the new fundraising campaign to fund improvements to the SpArC Theatre.

On September 5, Dave will take part in the Bishop's Castle Michaelmas Fair parade before setting off on his "SpArC to Snowdon Summit" challenge.

Over four to five days, he will cycle from Bishop's Castle to the summit of Snowdon, travelling largely off-road, camping en route and towing a single-wheeled trailer, all without support.

Ten years ago, Dave completed a similar challenge to raise funds for the Save the SpArC campaign when the leisure centre was under threat of closure; he raised more than £1,600.

Dave is hoping to raise around £2,000 through the challenge to support SpArC's £120,000 theatre fundraising campaign, which aims to replace ageing sound and lighting equipment and install more accessible seating to ensure the theatre remains a thriving community venue for future generations.

Speaking ahead of the ride, Dave said: "My reasons for setting myself this challenge are twofold. First, it is exactly 10 years since I completed a similar sponsored ride to the summit of Snowdon for the Save the SpArC campaign, when the centre was threatened with closure, raising more than £1,600.

"Secondly, it marks the first anniversary of the passing of my wife, Julie Luckhurst, who many local people will remember from Harvest Whole Foods and for her work teaching local children with dyslexia. Together we were regular attendees at SpArC's fantastic programme of events, and Julie would have wanted that success to continue. I would like to complete this challenge in her memory."

Fiona Boak, chair of the SpArC charity, who will join Dave on the first leg of the journey, said: "We are so grateful to Dave for undertaking this amazing effort once again to raise money for SpArC and encourage as many people as possible to support him. Every contribution, large or small, will help us reach our target and safeguard the future of the theatre."

SpArC Theatre is a central part of the cultural life of Bishop's Castle and South West Shropshire, hosting theatre, music, cinema, exhibitions, classes, workshops and community events, while also providing opportunities for volunteers and local young people.

Anyone wishing to support Dave's challenge and contribute to the theatre fundraising campaign can make a donation via the dedicated fundraising page online.