Graham is a patron of Centre Algarve, Europe’s only dedicated holiday centre solely for people with special needs, and is a passionate supporter of the project.
Another football legend Ossie Ardiles, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1978, will take the lead as the cyclists leave Malaga Football Club on 8 October, not on a bike but on his moped. Rumours that he is in training to lead the Kierin cycle event at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo have been denied.
Graham will lead the quintet of cyclists - John Parkhouse, Jack Parkhouse, Ash Mahoney and Lee Roswell - on the 400+kms epic ride up through Spain before crossing the Guadiana River at Ayamonte for the final leg.
The former UEFA and FA Cup winner said: “This will be the longest and most challenging bike ride that any of us have done but when it is for such deserving cause who can resist.” The following extract is from a recent letter from a mother with two special needs children.
Ava has cerebral palsy, is blind with no perception of light, suffers from epilepsy and is wheelchair bound. George, the adult son, has severe learning difficulties:
“We’ve had the most magical break with Ava. She often gets anxious when we are away from home and is usually ill at some point but she had a fabulous time! We managed to get her in the big pool with the special hoists and she was able to swim! To see her kicking her little legs everywhere and splashing her arms just made my heart burst and I won’t tell you how many tears I cried over getting her to the beach and into the sea! She did not stop smiling the entire break. She adored all the birds around the pool as they’re so loud and talkative which kept her endlessly entertained and she adored the bunnies. George totally fell in love with the animals on day one. He has literally been a zoo keeper for eleven days! He has had the most incredible experience, totally life changing for him plus he has had a real holiday of a lifetime which was just so wonderful as he makes endless sacrifices for Ava, misses out on so much, without even realising a lot of the time, as he is always intent on putting her first.”
To sponsor Graham and his team please go to: www.mydonate.bt.com.
Better still, why not pop into Centre Algarve and see for yourself how this former dilapidated quinta has been transformed into a very special holiday centre for those with very special needs.
Every cent raised will be used to give families and/or young people and their carers a remarkable
experience.