28th May 2010
Nine days, 1,000 miles of cycling raising money for Blind in Business and a pint of Hooky at the end of the journey.
Award winning Sebastian Snow plans to swap his chef's jacket for something suitable for a bike ride.
Fresh from his small village pub the Swan, Southrop in Gloucestershire being named Which? Good Food Guide's Best Restaurant of the Year 2011, Sebastian has set himself another charity raising challenge.
Sebastian plans to ride more than 1,000 miles from John O Groats in Scotland to Lands End in Cornwall – in nine days from 12-20 June 2010.
He will be attempting the ride with James Cracknell and others - averaging 111miles per day in the saddle.
Sebastian is raising money for Blind in Business an organisation that helps blind and visually impaired people find employment
He was inspired to undertake the journey when two years ago his nephew Marcus Emmet, now aged 17, lost the sight in one eye and has subsequently suffered deterioration of sight in other.
No stranger to extreme fund raising events, he has already walked in the Sahara desert and cycled across Death Valley in the US, but he reckons that this will be his toughest test yet.
"Needless to say this will be my hardest challenge, I will be in the saddle for at least seven or eight hours a day," said Sebastian.
"Because work has been so busy and the winter so harsh I haven't done all the training I wanted to.
"We will be camping out each night so there will be no luxury hotel with a massage waiting at the end of each day. I don't think the journey will be painless, especially as I have yet to complete 100 miles in a day in training.
"I am doing this to raise money for a charity close to my heart and I would be incredibly grateful of any donation no matter how small to help me get over the finish line and raise as much money for this important charity."
And how is Simon going to celebrate when he returns to his busy pub? With a pint of Hooky Bitter served in a glass with a handle.
When I took on the Swan in 2008 Hooky Bitter was already served at the bar. "I think my locals would revolt if I ever took it out. My customers say they love the way we look after the Hooky Bitter.
To win the Which? Good Food Guide's Best Restaurant of the Year 2011 award Sebastian and his staff were praised for good use of local ingredients, value and "impeccable" service, beating Michelin star champions Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal.
To make a donation go to www.justgiving.com/SebastianSnow
To learn more about the ride go to www.rideacrossbritain.com
For more on Blind in Business go to www.blindinbusiness.org.uk
To contact Sebastian Snow phone 01367 850205
The Swan,
Southrop,
Gloucestershire,
GL7 3NU.
www.theswanatsouthrop.co.uk
