A SITE manager overseeing construction of new homes in Brockworth is swapping his hard hat for a cycle helmet and riding 200 miles in memory of his son to raise funds for the RNLI.

Passionate fisherman Mike Bindon was just 23 when he was swept out to sea off the coast of Cornwall in January 2014 after being hit by a freak wave. His friend managed to call the emergency services and the RNLI were on the scene within 15 minutes with air support. Despite extensive searches, Mike was never found.

Dad Phil, from Weston-super-Mare, has since campaigned on behalf of the RNLI to raise awareness and received an Inspiring Communicator Award in 2016.

He’s now set himself a new challenge of cycling from Weston-super-Mare to Padstow from June 26, stopping at RNLI stations along the way to thank the crews for what they do.

“I can’t turn the clock back and change what’s happened and I don’t want it to happen to anyone else, but if the RNLI volunteers can go out and risk their lives to save people, the least I can do is get on my bike,” Phil, who works for the Edenstone Group and is currently overseeing construction of homes at the new Trinity Quarter development off Whittle Square, in Brockworth, said.

In fact Phil only took up cycling a year ago, purchasing a bike last May and covering a thousand miles by the end of 2020.

“I had a bike when the kids were young but had never really done any cycling before. I took it up to keep me busy and fit, mentally and physically, during lockdown as there’s only so much gardening and decorating you can do,” Phil laughed.

“Mike would have been 30 last year and with that being a milestone that spurred me on and I had a lightbulb moment to raise money and awareness for the RNLI by cycling from Weston-super-Mare to Padstow. I think Mike would have a chuckle about his dad trying to cycle 200 miles.”

One of Phil’s longest training rides has been a 63-mile cycle at an elevation of up to 4,000 ft, which took around nine hours including breaks.

“The challenge will involve four days of cycling covering 200 miles over tough terrain with a total elevation of 16,000ft which is not far off the height of Everest,” Phil added.

“It’s ambitious but I’m sure we can do it and I’d love to be able to beat the fundraising target of £10,000.”

Dave Nicoll, RNLI Fundraising and Partnerships Manager says: “Phil and his family have been part of the RNLI family since they lost Mike in 2014 and the charity has been grateful and inspired by Phil’s determination to raise awareness of sea safety through his grief. By telling Mike’s story, there is no doubt he will have saved lives.

“But cycling 200 miles and nearly the height of Everest is a challenge of another kind and is truly awe inspiring. It’s an incredible feat by someone relatively new to cycling and we have no doubt he will inspire others and, in the process, smash his fundraising target.”

Phil is being joined on the ride by friends, family and colleagues including NHBC inspector Matt Groves, cousin Liz Porter and her partner Richard Goddard-Jones, family members Alan Jackson and Alex Walker, plus Edenstone Group colleagues Chris Edge, Steve Barley, Mike Huddleston, Richard Senior, Lewis Morgan.

Edenstone Group operations director Chris Edge said: “Phil is a real inspiration and we’re sure Mike would be as proud as we are at his passion for supporting the RNLI. While a few of his colleagues will be supporting him during the challenge, the entire Edenstone Group team is behind him. Plus we’ll be boosting his fundraising with a donation from the Edenstone Foundation.”

The team will wear “Ride for Mike” shirts, provided by the Edenstone Foundation. The foundation receives a proportion of the proceeds of every home sold by the Edenstone Group and has pledged to donate £1,500 to Phil’s fundraising.

To donate to Phil’s fundraiser go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/philip-bindon-cyclechallenge.

For more information about the Edenstone Foundation see https://edenstonefoundation.com.

The route:

Day 1 June 26: Weston-super-Mare to Minehead, following cycle route 33 then along A38 and onto A39, with some 2,100 ft of elevation, approx. 49 miles.

Day 2 June 27: Minehead to Ilfracombe, taking in the village of Porlock, approx. 42 miles with an elevation gain of around 5,000ft.

Day 3 June 28: Ilfracombe to Bude approx. 55 miles with elevation of around 3,500ft over the distance.

Day 4 June 29: Bude to Padstow, including a call into Port Issac RNLI station, and possibly Rock RNLI station, approx. 33 or 43 miles depending on route, with elevation of 2,900ft