AN ILKLEY man is preparing for a solo bike ride across America.

In April 2020, local fundraiser Antony Butcher, was due to set off on the ride from New York to San Francisco until Covid intervened. Antony had been planning the ride since 2017 as part of his recovery from a mental health breakdown. Now, two years later, he is in the final stages of preparing for the ride and is planning a series of local fundraising static cycles to boost his fundraising totals before he flies to America in early April.

The first of these took place on Sunday at the Real Food Ilkley market. Despite wet weather, visitors to the market donated generously, with over £250 raised for good causes - with donations being split between the MS Society and local mental health group 'It’s Worth Talking About'.

Antony is primarily raising funds for the MS Society, a cause that is close to his heart as his mum has been living with MS for over 30 years, and now lives in a nursing home in Burley-in-Wharfedale. As well as raising money for charity, Antony is also hoping to raise awareness of mental health. He is keen to share plans for his journey with local schools and community groups before he sets off, with a particular focus on mental health and the importance of talking about how we are feeling. Anyone who is interested in having Antony to speak can contact him via www.antonyjcbutcher.com/talks.

Antony said: “After two difficult years it’s really exciting to be dusting off plans for this fundraising adventure. I’m hoping that the money I raise will support potentially life changing research into Multiple Sclerosis, with recent breakthroughs and upcoming trials bringing hope that in the near future we’ll be able to eradicate this horrible condition.”

When he sets off in April, Antony will spend three months cycling nearly 4000 miles across America, starting from New York and finishing in San Francisco. His journey will take him across three mountain ranges and through 17 states. He will cycle about 50-70 miles most days, with some longer days in areas where there are long distances between communities.

If you’d like to follow Antony’s journey you can do this at www.facebook.com/antonyacrossamerica, www.instagram.com/antonyacrossamerica, or www.twitter.com/antonybutcher. He’ll also be sharing updates on his website, www.antonyjcbutcher.com. If you’d like to sponsor Antony, you can do this at www.justgiving.com/antonyjcbutcher.