Man to cycle 200 miles for domestic abuse charity

Mickey Burns was inspired to do the challenge after supporting Alex Rigby, who ran to every station on the Merseyrail network for Centre 56

A fundraiser will cycle more than 200 miles through the night from the site of the UK's first women's refuge to a domestic abuse charity.

Mickey Burns, 44 and of Kirkby in Merseyside, will set off later from Chiswick in west London and hopes to be at Centre 56 in Liverpool in time for the charity's family fun day on Friday.

Mickey, who revealed that he had been inspired by Centre 56 fundraiser Alex Rigby - who ran to every station on the Merseyrail network - said: "We'll set off about 6 or 7pm, depending on the weather, and the idea is the traffic will not be as hectic if I cycle through the night.

"I'll be nervous when I get to the start but I should get into the zone once I'm cycling."

'Something just clicked'

The personal trainer's starting point will be the site of the UK's first women's refuge, set up by Chiswick Women's Aid in 1971.

Liverpool-based Centre 56, set up in 1973, opened the first women's refuge outside London.

The charity no longer operates a refuge but continues to support families facing domestic abuse, including with a specialist nursery.

A fundraising ideas leaflet - which suggested a 232-mile "spinathon" could be done by a relay team to replicate the distance between the two sites - gave Mickey the idea to tackle the challenge as a solo project.

He said: "I saw the leaflet and something just clicked and I decided to do it.

"I fell in love with Centre 56. There's a nice atmosphere, the people are so nice and I really enjoyed supporting Alex on his run."

Mickey will be accompanied by a team of three which will drive the route with him to provide food and support.

Their main job, though, will be to keep him going.

"I know if I stop for a break and start chatting I can chat for an hour so they'll be making sure I get back on the bike," Mr Burns, who is originally from Glenavy, near Belfast, added.

He said he was hoping to be greeted in Liverpool with a warm welcome from staff and supporters at the centre's fun day, which will run between 11:00 and 14:30 BST.

Mickey's brother Brendan is also fundraising for the charity, and plans to run next year's London Marathon.