Pedalling to Poznan for Norfox

Property developer Ian Hall of City & Cheshire is getting on his bike to raise money for Francis House in Didsbury, a children's hospice.

As co-chairman of Norfox, the North West's dedicated property charity, Ian and his dentist friend Jim Rochford will cycle from Manchester to Poznan in Poland, a journey of 935km.

Leaving Manchester on 12 June, the pair will ride to Hull catching the 8pm ferry to Rotterdam, courtesy of P&O Ferries who have generously given the boys and the bike half-price crossings.

From there, they join the Euroroute R1 to cycle through Holland and over the border to Germany and finally into Poland. The journey is expected to take six days. The return leg will be easier as they fly home on 19 June, hoping the tandem will fit in the hold.

Hall said: "This idea came to us when we were planning to go and watch England in one of the European Championship matches. Then they were drawn to play in Ukraine. When we saw that the Italy-Ireland game was to be held in Poznan, we decided to travel there instead in a rather different way and to do something for charity at the same time.

"We both live in Didsbury and it seemed appropriate to help Francis House which is trying to raise £3.5m to build seven new bedrooms with all the associated facilities to give more families the respite care they so desperately need and deserve.

"Norfox then agreed to supplement our fund-raising efforts and hold a summer BBQ at Albert's Shed in Castlefields on the evening of Thursday 21 June. We have so far received sponsorship for this from Williams Tarr and Goodman Harvey with Albert's giving us the room hire and a live band free of charge. We hope to raise a few thousand pounds for Francis House as a result."

You can support Ian and Jim by donating money at http://www.justgiving.com/ian-jim

Tickets are now on sale for the Summer BBQ at £20 each and can be obtained by emailing Barbara.Wroblewski@constructionpartnership.co.uk or by contacting Ian Hall or any of the Norfox Trustees: Stephen Chalcraft of Pannone, Stephanie Mullenger of MAG, Andrew Gardiner of TSG, Andrew Pattinson of Shoosmiths, Helen Thomas of Meredith Thomas PR, Chris Corrigan of DW Consulting Engineers or Stewart Grant of Pozzoni.