RICHARD Harris is taking on a charity bike ride this month and, by his own admission, there is an ironic twist to his fundraising efforts.

The 63-year-old is pedalling 75 miles for Colchester-based charity Re-Cycle, which sends used bikes from the UK to families in rural Africa.

Richard is a committed, tireless volunteer, working as a mechanic to help refurbish bikes that aren’t suitable to be sent to Africa, due to the terrain, but are still suitable to be used here in the UK.

The charity sells them at a fraction of the price of a new bike and they are sold to the community to raise funds for the Africa project.

Richard’s motivation stems from a “dangerous cycle” of his own - except metaphorical, rather than literal.

He is open about his issues with mental health and how cycling and volunteering has helped him with his struggles.

In addition to raising funds, he also wants to boost awareness and it is fitting that Re-Cycle, which he is cycling on behalf of, has teamed up with mental health charity Mind.

Gazette: In the saddle - Richard Harris is taking part in the Essex castle cycling event, which starts in Colchester's Castle Park on July 24

In the saddle - Richard Harris is taking part in the Essex castle cycling event, which starts in Colchester's Castle Park on July 24

“I was a solicitor for more than 35 years,” said Richard, who retired at the age of 60 in October 2017.

“If I’m entirely honest, retiring wasn’t born out of choice or the pinnacle of a fine career, but out of necessity.

“Depression was growing because of the constant, unremitting stress of completing tasks and problem-solving against unrealistic time expectations.

“However, at that time, I hadn’t grasped the importance of the positive aspects of my work - my brilliant colleagues, every day personal contact with them and the chit-chat and banter between us.

“It welded us together in our shared daily efforts.

“After retiring, I began to feel worthless and low and started to retreat into myself, avoiding human contact if I could.

“It was a dangerous cycle.”

Richard, who lives in Great Notley, needed to take action and, encouraged by a close friend, found a new way to fill the chasm in his life.

He decided to marry his passion for cycling and working on bikes with volunteering at Re-Cycle.

“I haven’t looked back since,” he said. “It’s saved me and that’s no exaggeration.

“The best part of being a volunteer is that if you don’t like it, you can just walk away.

“However, I don’t see my relationship with the charity that way.

“I feel a commitment to its work and the full-time staff there.

“I’d feel I’d let them down if I didn’t turn up when I’d promised to.

“My work at Re-Cycle gives me purpose, direction and teaches me new skills. Truly, every day is a school day because I learn so much.

“I feel what I do is recognised and appreciated and that I’m among friends.

“It stops me getting low and I suppose it’s come to replace many of the best parts of the working life I left behind when I retired.

“I’m often told by the retained full-time staff in the warehouse and workshop, and particularly by the office staff, how grateful they are for the efforts of the volunteers – for my efforts. I always say the same thing in reply.

“I say ‘you’re kind, but this really is a two-way street. For my own good, I need you to let me come here and I should be thanking you’.”

Fuelled by his determination to help, Richard is saddling up for a fundraising ride later this month.

The Essex Castle cycling event starts at Colchester’s Castle Park on Saturday, July 24.

READ MORE:

Participants have a choice of three round routes taking them along quiet country lanes and through the picturesque villages of north Essex. Each starts and finishes in Castle Park.

The King’s Ride is 25 miles into the Stour Valley, the Horses Ride is 50 miles to Castle Hedingham, and the Wall Ride is 75 miles to Finchingfield.

Anyone interested in taking part must raise funds and will receive a Re-Cycle training T-shirt. For more information, or to enter, email lindsay.hurrell@re-cycle.org.

To sponsor Richard and help him to reach his target, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ richard-harris95.