Cross-country challenge

Three friends will set off from Newark today on a 6,000-mile round trip for charity.

Mr Andy Hawkins, of Robinson Close, Mr Brian Hill and Mr Richard Wilkes, both of Beacon Heights, Newark, are tackling a 16-day motorcycle ride to Mount Ararat, the resting place of Noah’s Ark, and back.

They hope to raise £5,000 for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association — enough to buy a puppy to be trained as a blind dog. They will also raise money for Unicef.

Mr Hawkins, 43, a self-employed IT consultant, works voluntarily for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association as a schools ambassador in the Newark area.

Last week he took a guide dog and its handler to meet pupils at Winthorpe Primary School, who will be following Mr Hawkins’ progress.

He followed up the visit, this time with his Triumph Tiger 955i, on Monday.

The riders’ progress can be followed at www.touratiger.org

The trio will cover about 500 miles a day across 12 countries and two continents.

Mr Hawkins is also being supported by The Grove School, Balderton, where pupils will follow his trip as part of their geography lessons. Mr Hawkins’ son Seb, 12, is a pupil there.

Next year he plans to ride to Morocco as part of his charity fundraising efforts.

A big band charity night will be held at Ann et Vin, Newark, on October 17 to mark Mr Hawkins’ return. Tickets are available on the website, at Ann et Vin, or at Hotlines on Kings Road, Newark.