This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 14th, 2014at 2:32 pm by zoe.leahy@activenation.org.uk

Former Firefighter’s Charity Cycle Ride For Sick Children

A former retained firefighter who was injured on a callout is about to undertake a 152 mile bike ride in aid of a charity that makes dreams come true for children with life threatening illnesses.

Rob Crank, 45, first came to Active Nation’s All Seasons Leisure Centre in Chorley after volunteering for a Health and Wellbeing trial. He originally hurt his back while out on a call from Chorley Fire Station and is currently a house parent while waiting for further treatment.

Rob said: “At the time I signed up for the trial I was cycling weekly and had done a London to Paris Challenge for the Royal British Legion. I classed myself as being fit and healthy although overweight – until I went for my first tests at the start of the trial, which revealed I had a body fat content of 42.7%.

“To say I was shocked was an understatement, but I didn’t let that get me down and got on with the programmed exercise. At the 6 month check up I had got the body fat content down to 21.9% – which proved with a little guidance anything is possible.”

By the end of the trial Rob was hooked on exercise and signed up for a 12 month membership. He knew cycling was the key to his fitness and regularly trained on the spin bikes, but once the Watt Bikes were installed in the gym there was no looking back.

Rob added: “The Watt Bikes have been a tremendous help in getting me lower on my bike while doing time trials. Before using the Watt Bikes my times were around the 27 – 29 minutes for 10 miles, but I am now doing it in 25 minutes and hope to make further improvements throughout the year.”

Following the London To Paris challenge in 2011, Rob was part of a team that reformed the Chorley Cycling Club which has been a huge help in keeping him cycling – including a weekly spin class at All Seasons.

In fact, the father of 6 has already clocked up an impressive 6,000 miles in 2014 on the road and Watt Bikes. And in June, he will be undertaking the 152 mile Flat Out In The Fens charity bike ride in aid of When You Wish Upon A Star, after being moved and inspired by the story of 7 year old Niamh Brown who has undergone treatment for a rare form of ovarian cancer.

This is just one of many challenges Rob has set himself for the year, including a Manchester to Blackpool ride, The Lewis Balyckyi Memorial Ride and the Ride of the Roses. And next year he is aiming even higher as he is currently planning a challenge to raise funds for head trauma charities after a family member suffered a head injury in a fall.

Rob added: “The one thing I would say to people is don’t worry about what shape or size you are, the only thing that matters is that you are trying and don’t let others put you off – as anything is possible if you put in the effort.”

For more information about Rob’s challenge visit: http://www.justgiving.com/Niamh-Gymnast-Brown