Walsall at Wembley: Dedicated Saddlers fan to cycle to match in charity fundraiser
A dedicated Saddlers fan is getting on his bike to reach Wembley - and raise money for a good cause at the same time.
Barry Whitehouse will be joined by friend Robert Wright in pulling on their cycling gear for a 127 mile ride from Banks's Stadium to Wembley.
Barry, a senior lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton, is raising cash for Acorns Children's Hospice in Walsall.
The cycle will take place on Saturday, the day before the Saddlers take on Bristol City in their first appearance at the national stadium in the club's 127 year history.
Father-of-two Barry, aged 54, said: "I'm really looking forward to the challenge. It won't be easy but the fact we're doing it for a good cause will help spur us on.
"The route is 125 miles but we'll do a few of laps of Wembley when we get there to make it up to 127 – the number of years since Walsall FC was founded."
Barry from Cannock and his friend Robert, aged 45, who works for Lloyds Bank at the Pendeford Business Centre, are both Saddlers season ticket holders and will be joined by John Burke who is driving the support vehicle.
He added: "I know how important Acorns work is, so it's an honour to be able to support that, as well as get behind Walsall on their first ever visit to Wembley."
Sally Insley, community fundraising manager at Acorns, said: "We're really grateful to Barry and Robert for embarking on this trip. It's a fun and interesting idea and we wish the team good luck as well as the Saddlers on the big day.
"We rely on local fundraisers like Barry to help provide the majority of the £8 million plus income needed each year to run our hospices so I hope lots of people get behind him and help him complete this challenge."
To donate visit the www.justgiving.com/walsalltowembley web page.
