An aviation enthusiast from Naphill has cycled 75 miles in one day to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) – the world’s largest humanitarian airline.
David Tester, a retired RAF Intelligence Officer, and former pilot, completed the mission on Friday, August 20 this year.
He completed his trek by going on a rural route from his home on the top of the Chiltern Hills, by going to two airfields in RAF Halton and the former RAF Bicester, Oxfordshire, in keeping with his aviation-themed fundraiser.
This is the longest distance David has cycled since turning 70 in March this year.
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He cycled the route in around seven-and-a-half hours, which kept with 7&5 theme.
He also enjoyed a couple of refreshment breaks and went at speeds of around 12mph.
David departed his home at 07:50am – and completed the ride in just under eight hours, raising more than £1,000 for MAF, which flies aid to isolated locations across low-income countries.
On the charity, David said: “I remember standing on a sun-baked airstrip in the middle of nowhere with a group of passengers who were working for a medical charity.
“Soon after we landed suddenly a whole crowd of children surrounded us to see the plane.
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“That was so moving because it showed me how the MAF aircraft is as a symbol of hope for people living in very hard-to-reach places.
“Without a MAF plane, some communities don’t have access to basic necessities. Using aviation and technology, MAF is truly making a difference in people’s lives.£
And on the challenge, he continued: “Having played rugby and been a keen runner in my RAF days, cycling has been the kindest way to exercise during retirement.
“I particularly loved cycling during lockdown as the roads were so quiet and the countryside so peaceful.
"It really kept me going.
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“But when things started opening up, I knew it was time to get off my backside and do something to make a difference
"If I can do it, anyone can.”
For more information, visit www.maf-uk.org.
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