An 87-year-old vintage bike enthusiast has cycled 100 miles on a 100-year-old bike to mark his 100th eye injection at Hinchingbrooke Hospital.  

Colin Bedford, from March, wanted to raise funds for the Huntingdon hospital which he has been visiting monthly for the last 11 years.  

He started the challenge on January 1, cycling a few miles most days, and crossed the finish line at the building entrance this morning. 

The Hunts Post: Well-wishers with Colin Bedford as he crossed the finish line at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, in Huntingdon.Well-wishers with Colin Bedford as he crossed the finish line at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, in Huntingdon. (Image: Ken Challenger)And a crowd of staff and well-wishers gathered to cheer him along for the last stretch.  

Cllr Phil Pearce, Mayor of Huntingdon, was among them. 

The Hunts Post: Colin Bedford, 87, with Cllr Phil Pearce, the Mayor of Huntingdon.Colin Bedford, 87, with Cllr Phil Pearce, the Mayor of Huntingdon. (Image: Ken Challenger)Afterwards, Colin said: “I wanted to do this because the hospital and the staff have treated me so well.  

“I get injections in my eye every month, each one is £600 a time.  

“That’s a lot of money, so to mark my 100th I wanted to give something back to the hospital.  

“I owe them so much.” 

The Hunts Post: Colin Bedford, 87, cycled 100 miles on a 100-year-old bike to mark his 100th eye injection at Hinchingbrooke Hospital.Colin Bedford, 87, cycled 100 miles on a 100-year-old bike to mark his 100th eye injection at Hinchingbrooke Hospital. (Image: Ken Challenger)To date, Colin has raised £2,185 according to the JustGiving page set up for his fundraising efforts.  

His target is £5,000.  

He completed the challenge on a rare tricycle from 1877 made by the Coventry Machinist Company. 

The model is called a Cheylesmore.  

The Hunts Post: Colin Bedford, 87, is a prolific fundraiser.Colin Bedford, 87, is a prolific fundraiser. (Image: Ken Challenger)Colin said: “What makes this particular tricycle even more special is that it was made by appointment of the Prince of Wales. 

“It has the royal crest of approval and I have the actual badge which comes with the bike.” 

Colin is also a prolific fundraiser.   

In 2020, he cycled the distance between March and Hinchingbrooke Hospital over five days using different historic bikes and dressed in attire from the era.   

A previous badminton injury left him with a detached retina.  

He is also treated for Diabetic Macular Oedema and needs regular injections to alleviate fluid that filters into the back of his eye.  

The Hinchingbrooke Hospital Sunflower Eye Clinic treats various eye conditions, including 120 injections per week. 

Donate to Colin’s current fundraising effort at his JustGiving page at https://shorturl.at/lrJZ4.