March man makes progress in Hinchingbrooke Hospital bike challenge

A vintage bicycle has a decommissioned rifle attached to the front

An 87-year-old man has completed 70 miles (112km) of a 100-mile (160km) cycling challenge, so far raising about £1,000 for a hospital that saved his sight.

Colin Bedford, from March, Cambridgeshire, has recently received his 100th eye injection at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon.

He damaged his retina 11 years ago while playing badminton.

Hospital staff said they were "grateful" for his efforts.

Mr Bedford's sporting challenge has involved him riding various old bicycles, such as a 1914 BSA Huntingdonshire Cycle Corps bike. He said: "[The bike] comes complete with a rifle strapped to the handlebars and a grenade in the back ammunition pouch - both decommissioned, of course."

Colin Bedford recently had his 100th eye injection at the clinic

Now 70 miles into his challenge, he is expected to have completed it by the middle of February.

Mr Bedford is no stranger to raising money for the hospital, he has previously held a sponsored badminton tournament, which raised about £3,000.

He said he hopes to have beaten that total by the time he has finished his cycling challenge.

Colin Bedford is taking on a 100-mile challenge

'I would have lost my sight'

"Without the eye injection and treatment, I definitely would have lost my sight, so I've always felt that I owe the NHS something," Mr Bedford said.

"It has done so much for me, and I couldn't do without them."

Mr Bedford still coaches badminton and is thought to be one of the oldest coaches of the sport in the country.

Mr Bedford credits staff at the clinic with saving his sight

"Everybody in the team and lots of the local community know Colin," said Elizabeth Trewick, an ophthalmology sister.

"He's practically famous here. We all love his kind nature, positivity and lovely character. We're so grateful for all the support he has given us throughout the years."