Wedding singer Wayne swapping his mic for a bike on kickboxing charity ride

Wayne Farrow (46) will attempt to cycle 170 miles in a day when he takes on the Way of the Roses Tour, setting off from Morecambe at 4am and ending at Bridlington on the Yorkshire coast around 8pm.

Wayne, who is well-known throughout Burnley as a wedding singer and entertainer, only took up cycling in April, as a new hobby during lockdown. He is hoping to raise £2,000 towards new equipment for children at the Black Knights Kickboxing Club in Burnley.

He said: "Allan Clarkin, who runs the kickboxing club, has done a tremendous job over the years for local children, including my own, and I wanted to help out. He is hoping to put an octagon training area in at the club so any extra money helps.

"I only took up cycling in April for something to occupy me during lockdown. The wedding singing has obviously dried up so it's given something to focus on. I found the route online, it includes 10,000ft of climbing so it will be tough but I'm determined to do it.

"I haven't gone above 100 miles too often yet but it's a case of mind over matter. I've been training with a bunch of lads called the Cycling Barmy Army so hopefully that will have helped me prepare."

The ride, which Wayne will attempt on Friday, is not the first challenge he has set himself during lockdown - he also recently jumped out of a plane to "relieve a bit of stress."

Having an initial fund-raising target of £1,000 Wayne has now raised £1,400 and would like to reach £2,000.

To sponsor him visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/blacknightsfundraiser