PNE's biking duo set for charity trek

PNE fitness coach Tom Little and sports science assistant Luke Hemmings are taking part in the Football League’s annual bike ride to Amsterdam.

Simon Grayson did it last year, the North End manager raising more than £50,000 for Prostate Cancer UK.

One of his co-riders was Deepdale groundsman Pete Ashworth who also did the ride in 2014.

This June, it is the turn of Little and Hemmings whose job during the season is to keep the Preston players in top physical condition.

It promises to be a busy summer for Little who is not content with just doing the bike ride.

Before cycling to Holland, he will be riding the Pennine Bridleway for charity, in memory of his dad, David.

Then in July, Little is doing the Tough Guy challenge, described as one of the hardest obstacle courses going.

This year’s Football League bike ride to Holland will see two starting points – Barnsley’s Oakwell ground and the Olympic Stadium in London.

Little and Hemmings are in the group going from Barnsley and will ride 70 miles to Hull before taking an overnight ferry to Rotterdam.

From Rotterdam, they will cycle 74 miles to Amsterdam where they will finish at Ajax’s Amsterdam ArenA.

Little said: “I wanted to do a challenge to raise money in memory of my dad.

“He suffered from prostate cancer, as do thousands of men in the UK.

“I was undecided between a few challenges and so I’m going for a triple whammy!

“My dad loved the Pennine Way so this is definitely appropriate.

“Then I’ll do the cycle ride from Barnsley to Amsterdam and before my hip arthritis finally says no, I will have a final bash at Tough Guy.

“That’s probably the most brutal obstacle race around.

“Thank you in advance for your support in helping a great cause and remembering a great man.”

Hemmings said: “I will be doing the bike ride to help raise money for Prostate Cancer UK and to help the fantastic work they already do.

“Any donations are massively appreciated, no matter how big or small.”

You can support Tom at www.justgiving.com/thomas-little-challanges, or help Luke’s fundraising at https://www.justgiving.com/Luke-Hemmings2.