story by: John cleverley

A Rotarian in his 70s has cycled the length of Britain in a gruelling challenge in ​support of people around the world left without shelter after disaster.

Frank King cycled 1,000 miles from Land's End to John O’Groats to raise funds for ​the international disaster relief charity, ShelterBox.

President of Nailsworth Rotary Club in Gloucestershire, Frank, says: “Despite ​having cycled for many years, I wouldn’t call myself a mad keen cyclist. Nor would ​I call myself a spring chicken! At 73 (and a half) years old I knew this would be a ​tough ride, but a great challenge – and that it was!

“Fourteen days of cycling, climbing over 55,000 feet, and digging into my mental ​reserve to battle fatigue. The scenery was a particular highlight. We cycled over ​rolling coastal hills, did a steep climb up to Dartmoor, and even stopped on the ​top of the Severn Bridge.

“Months of training during the bleak winter months prepared me well for the ​ride, but I wouldn’t have got through it without the camaraderie of the 18 ​strangers I cycled with.

“All of them much younger than me with far more expensive bikes compared to ​the 16-year-old one I rode, but so supportive. The whole cycle was an incredible ​experience and I’m thrilled to be able to raise money for ShelterBox.”

The Cornwall-based charity supports people who have been uprooted from their ​homes after disaster or conflict by providing different types of shelter and ​essential items like water filters, solar lights, mosquito nets, and blankets.

So far, Frank’s challenge has raised over £4,300, which will be split between ​ShelterBox and Nailsworth Rotary Club. Donations can still be given via his ​fundraising page.

Fiona Turner, Rotary Engagement Officer at ShelterBox, said: “We’re often left in ​awe when hearing the challenges our supporters put themselves through to ​raise funds and awareness for ShelterBox. Frank’s cycle sounds epic and ​exhausting! What a show of true strength. We’re so grateful for his support.

“Every year the number of people displaced from their homes increases and so ​does the need for emergency shelter. We have been scaling up our responses to ​meet the global shelter need, but we couldn’t do this without our supporters, like ​Frank, who give up their free time for ShelterBox.”

ShelterBox currently has a team in the Caribbean where island nations have ​been left devastated by Hurricane Beryl. On some islands every house has been ​damaged.

The charity has aid being distributed in Gaza where 1.7 million people have been ​affected by conflict. It’s also responding to flooding in Bangladesh, conflict in ​Syria, and climate related displacement in Ethiopia and Somalia.

To find out more about ShelterBox and where its working around the world, visit: ​ShelterBox.org