It's another challenge completed for legendary Wolverhampton fundraiser Manny after 24 hours of non-stop cycling
There were huge cheers and more than a few tears as the latest challenge by a dedicated fundraiser and campaigner for Dementia research reached its triumphant end.
A large crowd of family, friends and supporters gathered outside Wolverhampton University's Ambika Paul Building on Wulfruna Street in Wolverhampton on Saturday to cheer on Manny Singh Kang as he completed 24 hours of non-stop cycling on a static bike.
The challenge was the 52-year-old's latest fundraiser for Dementia UK, with volunteers from the charity taking donations from people heading to Molineux for the Wolves vs Everton match and supporters stopping to give him encouragement and cheer him on.
Despite having been in the saddle for nearly a full day, Manny looked remarkably fresh as he pedalled, talking to friends and family and also making comments for the livestream, which was being broadcast on YouTube.
As the time drew near to the end of the challenge, he said that everything was still good and he was still feeling fine and said it had been such an experience for him.
He said: "Where do I start? It's just been so mind-blowing and really hard to put into words because it was really tough straightaway, but we got into a rhythm and I've stuck to about 10 miles an hour and kept the bike on a resistance of 30 per cent.
"I've had the support of so many people from far and wide, like my two friends from Yorkshire who came down, including one who is serving in the RAF, and they looked after me over Friday night, so it's all been so good and so incredible."
The final countdown saw Manny even complete a sprint to the end and saw ticker tape, loud cheers and lots of applause from everyone in attendance, with Manny visibly emotional at the end as he celebrated with his family.
Even as the ride came to an end, people were still coming up to make donations, including 11-year-old Kody Blower from Burntwood, who donated his pocket money to the cause.
The ride saw Manny cycle more than 230 miles and raise more than £12,000 from the challenge, meaning he has now raised more than £300,000 from Dementia UK over his numerous challenges.
Dementia UK senior community fundraising manager Sarah Chambers was present to cheer on Manny and said she just found him to be so inspiring.
She said: "It's just amazing what he does as Manny has been fundraising for us since 2018 and just to see the way he's got the whole of Wolverhampton behind him is wonderful.
"He's inspired so many people from this challenge and I know that he's got this ability to just do mind over matter and inspire us all.
"Doing 24 hours on a bike is really unique and that's attracted a lot of attention, then a lot of people have found out about our charity and may want to do their own fundraising, so it's not just what he's done, it's what he's inspired more widely."
To find out more about Manny Singh Kang and to make a donation, go to his JustGiving page.
