By LIZ GRIFFITHS [email protected]
A 75-year-old British resident is taking part in a 400km bike ride leaving from Albufeira to Fatima between November 9 and 13.
Don Forrester, who lives in Carvoeiro, is raising funds for the Captain James Philippson Trust Fund which was set up in memory of Captain James Philippson, the first British soldier to lose his life in Afghanistan.
Don has been a friend of James’ mother, Algarve resident Trish Quinlan, for four years and had met James when he came to stay in the Algarve.
Don told the Algarve Resident: “James was over visiting his family. He used to enjoy playing golf and I was playing at the same golf course as James one day when I met him.”
Don is part of a British expat cycling group called the Algarve Nomads and will be joined by his six fellow nomads, along with several hundred cyclists, on the pilgrimage bike ride to Fatima.
The ride will be spread over four days and this is the first time Don is taking part in the epic journey.
“We will have a big send off from the town hall in Albufeira, where the mayor will be in attendance,” Don said. “We then cycle for four days making our way to Fatima.”
The cyclists will be staying overnight in make-shift accommodation at school gymnasiums and various bombeiros.
“When we arrive in Fatima there is a big celebration and we all receive a blessing from the priest,” Don said. “Then, on November 24, there is a big dinner held in Albufeira for everyone who took part.”
Don and his British expat friends formed the cycling group, the Algarve Nomads, with the hope of organising cycling events around the Algarve.
“I used to do a lot of cycling in my younger years and now I want to take it up again.”
For further information about joining the Algarve Nomads and to sponsor Don on the bike ride, please call him on 282 356 886 or email [email protected] Visit the Captain James Philippson Trust Fund website at www.captainjim.org which is available in English.
