Sporting Wishes fund raiser goes to Gareth Simpson's head

Bury Town player Gareth Simpson will be among 100 people taking part in athletic fund raising activities this Sunday – but he will be going a step further than most.

Not satisfied with being among those trying to clock up 1,500 miles on spin bikes, treadmills or in the pool at the third Cycle, Splash & Dash event for the Sports Connections Foundation, the former Mildenhall Town player will have his head shaved to show solidarity with some of the children the charity helps.

Gareth explained: "The foundation is for disadvantaged and seriously ill children to try and give them a treat to make them feel good.

"A lot of them have to stop going to school because they can't risk picking up bugs so they're losing their friends and can't socialise."

The charity's Sporting Wishes helps youngsters to do something they have always wanted to try or meet their sporting heroes.

Gareth explained: "If they're, say, a massive Arsenal fan, we'll do something with Arsenal. But it's not just football, there was a boy who wanted to train with the London Wasps because he likes rugby, someone wanted to train with an athlete and we've done tennis wishes."

But a treat costs about £1,500, with insurance, accommodation and transport, so on Sunday between 11am and 5pm the David Lloyd gym in Cambridge will host a fund raising event that anyone can join in.

For £10 for adults and £5 for children, you can try all the gym's facilities, including its indoor and outdoor pools, but there will be the added attractions including face painting, archery, inflatables, football kick 'speed camera', auction and barbecue with live music.

John Westbrook from Barbers Inc in Mildenhall will be cutting hair all day for donations, then shaving Gareth's head.

Gareth said: "A lot of my friends are coming to laugh at me, but I've already got £1,300 on my Just Giving page.

"It's a family event. People can come to support us or they can join in and do some miles."

You can donate to the event at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cycle-splash-dash or sponsor Gareth's head shave at

www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gareth-simpson

Check the auction lots at www.scfchildrenscharity.org.uk/cycle-splash-dash