Cycling soldiers to raise money for Amy charity (From The Bolton News)

Cycling soldiers to raise money for Amy charity

2:50pm Tuesday 9th February 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

SOLDIERS in Iraq are getting on their bikes to raise money for a charity set up in memory of a murdered Bolton model.

The 10-man team will take turns to ride more than 500 miles on static bikes — the distance from Baghdad to Basra and back — for the Amy Leigh Barnes Foundation.

Amy, aged 19, was stabbed to death by her boyfriend in Farnworth in November, 2008. Her family set up the foundation to raise money for domestic violence charity Fortalice and performing arts charity The Phoenix.

The cycling soldiers wanted to do their bit after hearing about the charity, although they cannot take on the actual route in Iraq because it would be too dangerous.

The event, which will take place from 8am to 6pm on February 25, will be followed by an auction.

Craig Etherton, from Liverpool, who has organised the event, is pals with one of Amy’s best friends and wanted to support the foundation. The 25-year-old said: “We will be working in between doing stints on the bike so it will be a challenging day. I did a fundraiser for Help for Heroes and wanted to do another and thought this was a charity to do it for.

“One of my friends was good friends with Amy and the charity is close to her heart. What happened to Amy was shocking and all the lads wanted to get on board to help.”

Amy’s mother, Karyn Killiner, said: “The guys have missed celebrating their Christmas, New Year and their birthdays for two years in a row and this is Craig’s third time in Iraq.

“They are brave and they still have the energy and enthusiasm to do this to help the foundation. Craig has phoned me twice from Baghdad to organise this event and each time his kindness and support has had me in tears.”

For more details about the event or to sponsor the team, email theamyleigh barnesfoundation@hotmail.

co.uk