Chair of Uttlesford District Council Cllr Geof Driscoll has raised more than £1,000 for charity by cycling around the district on an e-bike.

Geof, who turns 70 later this month, covered more than 70 miles and visited every ward in Uttlesford over five days - all to raise money for disability charity Accuro.

He made a number of stops along the way, including a visit to the Accuro team at their offices in Great Hallingbury, and to see the progress of some of the projects that were awarded funding through the council's Zero Carbon Communities Grant scheme.

After making it back to the council's Saffron Walden offices on Friday, September 8, Geof said: "I am delighted to have got over the finish line.

"I know I am not a cyclist or very fit, but I’ve had a great time. I’ve seen things you don’t particularly notice when you’re driving in a car, such as the abundance of wildlife.

"A big thank you to everyone who supported me and the team that put it all together. I would also like to thank Tekmotiv for kindly loaning me the e-bike to do this challenge."

The money Geof raised will go to STRIDE, Accuro's six-month life skills programme for adults with a learning disability in west Essex.

The programme covers essential topics for independent living, such as health, relationships, household tasks, keeping safe, employment, digital skills and more.

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Geof picked the charity as one of his causes to support during his year in office, after being invited to last year's STRIDE programme graduation.

Accuro's fundraising manager Sue Fishpool said: "We are delighted that Geof has completed his e-bike challenge for Accuro and thrilled that he has raised such significant funds and awareness for the Accuro STRIDE project in Uttlesford.

"Our STRIDE ambassador Holly puts it best when she says that STRIDE allows young adults with disabilities to feel safe and learn new skills in an environment free from discrimination.

"We are hugely grateful to Geof for choosing to support STRIDE and help to provide this important project for local people with a disability. Thank you Geof."