Man goes bananas to raise charity cash (From Preston and Leyland Citizen)

Man goes bananas to raise charity cash

4:37pm Thursday 6th December 2007

• Print
• Email
• Share

A Penwortham IT analyst has been going bananas in a bid to raise money for a charity trip to Costa Rica.

Simon Duckworth, 24, who works at Liberta on Preston docklands, is going to Central American in March to take part in a Prince's Trust Challenge.

And to help him raise the £3,000 he needs to start the challenge, he dressed up as a banana - a fruit often associated with Costa Rica - and collected more than £400 from work colleagues and visitors to the docklands.

He said: "I am delighted with the response I got because I'd only expected to collect around half of what I did.

"I have to raise £3,000 so I am just organising some more events such as a Bullseye darts night at my local pub, a head shave and also hopefully a raffle towards the end of December."

While in Central America he will cycle, hike, canoe and raft across the country in just seven days.

"It's going to be tough because I am a non-swimmer but I am really looking forward to it. I have done charity cycles in the past but never anything like this.

"Its a very good cause though and I used to do some work with the Prince's Trust so I have first hand knowledge of the work they do."

Simon, a former Penwortham Priory High School pupil, started training in October but has been out of action for the last month after a freak accident while out cycling.

He said: "I was cycling along Leyland road when I came off my bike and fell over the bridge and into the brook.

"I split my head open and had to have eight stitches in my knee so I have only just been able to start riding again.

"But I have until March to train so hopefully I will be ready.

"I think the humidity is going to be the worst part because no matter how much training and fitness work you do, you cannot prepare yourself for the humidity."

Anyone who wants to sponsor Simon can do so by logging onto the link below or calling him on 01772 840224.

• Print
• Email
• Share