Ant and Dec's send-off for charity cycle ride rugby star

May 16 2008 by Jule Wilson, The Journal

To hear Ant and Dec's message of support, click here

THE region’s best-known double-act have thrown their weight behind a £40,000 charity campaign to help disadvantaged local youngsters.

Ant and Dec have recorded a special message of encouragement and thanks for Newcastle Falcons rugby player Tom May ahead of his 540-mile cycle challenge, launched yesterday at Kingston Park in Newcastle.

The Tom May Cycle Challenge in aid of the local charity Just For Kids, which has the Geordie duo as its official patrons, is due to kick off on May 28, with the Falcons winger spending seven days travelling to every Premiership rugby ground in England.

On his epic journey, Tom will visit relegated side Leeds Carnegie, Sale Sharks in Cheshire, the Leicester Tigers, newly promoted Northampton Saints, Worcester Warriers, Gloucester, Bristol, Bath, London Irish, London Wasps, Saracens and Harlequins, and is hoping to arrive at Twickenham Stadium on June 3.

Ant and Dec, who couldn’t attend the launch as they are on location filming the ITV1 series Britain’s Got Talent, addressed Tom in the message which said: “We would like to wish you all the best, Tom, for doing this for our charity, Cash For Kids.

“We both come from the North East and it’s good to hear that a local sporting hero like yourself is doing this for charity. Thank you very much, it’s going to raise a lot of money and be an immense physical and mental challenge.”

Tom is also to be joined on the route by keen mountain biker Guy Hilton, the manager of the Hilton Hotel in Gateshead, who has also pledged an extra £10,000 for the charity. He said: “It’s superb to be able to sponsor this campaign, but also to take part in it myself, as it is a great personal challenge and an opportunity to re-establish my fitness levels. I’m really looking forward to setting off and we already have so much support, it’s going to be a really tough but really exciting journey.”

The fund is already at £20,000 after local businessman John Jones, of HM Plant in Hebburn, agreed to sponsor for half of the final target.

But anyone wanting to help Tom to reach £40,000 can donate at www. justgiving.comtomsjustforkidsbikeride or to sponsor Guy, visit www. justgiving.com/guyhilton

Tom, who rode 46 miles in training on Saturday and another 15 on Monday, said: “I was very sore by the end of it, so with 105 miles in the first day ahead of me, it’s a bit daunting.”

To hear Ant and Dec's message of support, click here