Cyclist reaches Yorkshire Coast after embarking on non-stop challenge

A man has reached the Yorkshire Coast after embarking on a five month 5,000 mile non-stop cycle challenge.

Author: Karen LiuPublished 23rd Apr 2021

A man has reached the Yorkshire Coast after embarking on a five month 5,000 mile non-stop cycle challenge.

Josh Garman, 22, from Surrey, is travelling the entire coast of Great Britain for the 'Hope for Hasti' charity.

He plans to raise £50,000 for the 8-year-old girl who was diagnosed in 2018 with a rare slow growth disease called Cornelia de Lang Syndrome.

The family-run charity was founded by parents Chris Brannigan and Hengameh Delfaninejad when Hasti was diagnosed.

It aims to raise £2.5million to fund research and hopefully provide treatment options for Hasti and others living with life-limiting, rare genetic diseases, 95 per cent of which currently have no treatment.

During his challenge, Josh will be pulling a self-made yellow camper weighing 50 kilos to sleep in.

Josh said:

“I will be pedaling through seaside towns, small villages, I love the idea of connecting people and communities and bringing them together united by the rare disease cause. I am cycling for Hasti and other children with CdLS but I also want to show young people how it is possible to make a difference even during these difficult times.

"I hope what I am doing inspires other young people to find a sense of purpose in helping others. I am young, and with the potential to follow in Chris’ footsteps, have vowed to do whatever I can to help this charity and the many children with rare diseases that are so often overlooked.”

Major Chris Brannigan, winner of Pride of Britain national fundraiser award 2020, said:

"We can’t thank Josh enough for taking on this epic challenge. We have already made great progress with the research but the journey to finding a treatment for a rare disease like CdLS is a long and expensive one. With the help of amazing volunteers like Josh, we will make it."

To donate, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/coast5000

You can also follow Josh’s journey on Instagram and Facebook - @expeditionjosh

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