AN ENDURANCE cyclist from Keighley has received support for his latest mission from a pair of Bradford City football legends.

Ryan Anderton has saddled-up for another charity challenge – this time taking on a 5,000-mile route around the UK coast.

And he has been given messages of support by former City stars Stuart McCall and Danny Cadamarteri.

Mr Anderton, 40, set-off from Keighley’s Town Hall Square this month for the start of a gruelling ride which is seeing him heading across to Blackpool, then Lancaster, around the Scottish coast, down the east coast of England, the south coast, around Wales and then back to Blackpool, where he is scheduled to finish on August 17.

He is raising funds for NHS Charities Together, the Mental Health Foundation, Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, Everton in the Community and Hampshire-based Hammersley Homes.

The Everton fan has been backed for success in video messages from Stuart McCall and Danny Cadamarteri, who both used to play for the Toffees as well as City during their careers.

Mr Anderton has previously completed endurance cycling challenges around the UK and Europe.

His latest challenge is seeing him mainly cycle on his own, but he will be joined by support riders at stages along the route.

He said: “It is 40 stages around the coastline of Britain, it should take 40 days.

“I will have one rest day and the shortest day of cycling is 70 miles, the longest day is 150 miles. I am not new to this, I have three significant cycling challenges under my belt. I have been cycling for the last four years.

“I have struggled pretty much all of my life with my mental health. Four years ago I was introduced to peer support group Andy’s Man Club. I have now set-up my own mental health group in Keighley.

“When I got to 37/38 I started to get a grip on my life and knew what I wanted to do with my life. Cycling has given me a voice.

“After seeing how the world has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic I have decided to ride over 5,000 miles around the coastline of Britain for five wonderful charities that mean a lot to me and no doubt many other people too.

“I am a massive advocate that exercise helps with people’s mental health.

“Everybody dreads the postman at the moment, we all have bills to pay, families and relationships. We can get too bogged down with day-to-day living.

“When you finish a ride like this you feel a mixture of exhilaration and relief. A lot of cyclists complain about the post-ride blues. You have to reassess your mental health. I will probably plan my next challenge.”

* Go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CyclingAroundBritain to make a donation.