A CHARITY cyclist whose bike was damaged after being hit by a car is back in the saddle.

Len Leaf, aged 62, was training for a cycling challenge from John O’Groats to Land's End when he was knocked off his bike in Horwich.

The father-of-two has been unable to train after the incident, in De Havilland Way in Bolton, on March 28, as his bike was damaged beyond repair.

Following an appeal in The Bolton News last month, Mr Leaf said he was overwhelmed with the amount of people offering to donate him a bike.

However with hope that he could fix his beloved bike he took it into the Cycle Service Centre in Horwich, who not only fixed it but did so for free.

Owner Neil Prentice, of Cycle Service Centre replaced the bikes back wheel, gears cables and mud guards and also gave the bike a service.

Mr Leaf, of Silverwell Street, in Horwich, said: “My bike was in a very sorry state and I didn’t think it was worth repairing.

“But it had previously been donated to me back in 2002 when I did the Land’s End to John O’Groats challenge so I was desperate to have it repaired for this challenge.

“I can’t thank Neil enough for fixing it and the people that offered to donate me a bike.

“It proves that there are lots of good people out there.”

Mr Prentice said: “I found out that it was for a worthy cause and the work could ultimately help and contribute to the charity.

“The repairs should have been around £100 but we do what we can for people, especially those in the cycling field and those involved in worthy causes.

“I am glad that Len is happy with the repairs — they sound like they did the trick.”

Mr Leaf is now back on his bike and stepping up his training for the July 1 challenge — an 874-mile journey, estimated to take nine to 10 days.

However the group of three friends are still in need of a campervan to borrow for the two week trip and are appealing to the public to help.

To sponsor the friends go to www.justgiving.com/jogle2016 or to help with their campervan appeal contact Len on lennyleaf@live.co.uk or 01204 694481.