SELF-declared oldie Nick Wimberley is setting off on his vintage bike next month to raise money for Dorchester Opportunity Group.

He will be riding from England’s most westerly to most easterly points – from Land’s End to Lowestoft – to raise money for the Mayor of Dorchester’s mayoral appeal.

He hopes to raise at least £1,000 towards the Dorchester Opportunity Group’s project to build new premises in Maiden Castle Road.

The group is aimed at children aged five and under who have special needs. Its new building scheme suffered a setback when a supporter who had pledged a major sum had to withdraw the offer of the donation because of the economic downturn and the charity launched an extra One-in-a-Million campaign for funds.

Dorchester mayor Kate Hebditch chose the Dorchester Opportunity Group as her mayoral charity and Nick decided to boost her appeal with pedal power.

He said: “I gave up cycling when I got a car at 17 but a friend gave me a bike last year and I love it. It’s been great out there training – I’ve seen spring arrive by being out there.”

Nick, 54, will be riding his vintage Viceroy racing bike that was rescued last year after being dumped at Portland.

He said: “I got two bikes for £15 so I reckon this one cost me £7.50. It’s probably 30 years old, which makes it vintage, and it has a sticker on it from a cycle shop in Wareham that’s gone now.”

He will carry everything he needs for the six-day, 440-mile trip with the help of a pannier given by Autobitz of Dorchester, which is also servicing the bike.

Nick, of Prince of Wales Road, Dorchester, is busy training with rides of up to 70 miles – the average distance between stops.

The trip starts on May 9 when he sets out from Land’s End. The route goes through Launceston, Taunton, Glastonbury, Melksham, Swindon, Oxford, Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds and ends in Lowestoft.

He knows most parts of the trip well, having lived in Devon and grown up in Cambridge.

He said: “It’s a good opportunity for me to see these places again, especially Cambridge. My plan is to get a train back.”

He will be keeping his costs to a minimum by staying at YMCA hostels and with friends – including Coun Hebditch’s parents.

Adding support are publicans Rick Townsend of the Blue Raddle and Jamie Pinnow of Tom Brown’s pub which is holding a fun day for the charity on Sunday, May 3 with live music, a barbecue and bouncy castle.