Keen cyclist battles through epic trip for cancer charity (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Harry Homan-Green set off on a 1,300 mile cycle from Cirencester to Rome to raise money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer

5:00pm Friday 7th September 2012 in News By Ian Craig

Harry Homan-Green

AN INTREPID young fundraiser has set off on an epic cycle ride from the Roman capital of the Cotswolds to the centre of the Roman Empire itself.

Harry Homan-Green, 21, set off on Sunday on a 1,300 mile cycle from his home in Cirencester to Rome to raise money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

The effort will see Harry cycle up to 100km a day in his attempt to raise £5,000 for the charity in memory of family friend Eira Hooper, who set up the Cirencester branch of Breakthrough Breast Cancer with Harry’s mother Amanda in 2005, but died of the disease in 2008.

This is not the first time Harry has saddled up for the charity – in 2010 he and his friend Josh Potts cycled 2,000 miles from John O’Groats to Tarifa in Spain, raising more than £3,500.

Harry said the solo challenge – dubbed Homan Goes Roman – would be tough, but he was looking forward to the adventure.

“I’ve never actually been to Italy before – but that’s part of the fun of the experience,” he said. “When we cycled from John O’Groats to Tarifa it took three weeks – as it’s by myself this time I don’t know if it’ll be faster or slower.

“The first few days last time were horrible but we pushed through it and the feeling when we finished was indescribable.

“That’s the real test – mental endurance.”

Harry, who works at OVO Energy in Kemble – who have pledged to match any £500 donations to the effort – said he was pleased to be doing something meaningful.

“I would definitely recommend other people give something like this a go,” he said. “All you really need is a bike and your two legs.”

For live updates on Harry’s progress visit his blog at homangoesroman.wordpress.com/

To donate to the effort visit justgiving.com/ROAM