Brighton line train driver cycles for South African charity

Ben Ford, 51, will cycle 100-miles to raise money for Qhubeka - a charity providing communities in South Africa with bikes so schools, clinics and jobs can be more easily accessed.

Ben is a regular face in Brighton, as he drives the Govia Thameslink service to the city from King’s Lynn.

“When the pandemic hit, I wanted to make the most of the opportunity to enjoy daily exercise and a change of scenery,” said Ben.

Ben drives the Thameslink train from King's Lynn to Brighton

“I loved getting out and about and exploring my local area through running. Unfortunately, I injured my calf, so I had to give that up and took up cycling instead.

“Something that began as a hobby has grown into a passion and I’m now using cycling as a way to raise much-needed funds for charity.”

Ben, from Cambridge, joined the railway in 1989 where he worked in the freight yard, before progressing to finally become a train driver in 1996.

Thousands of cyclists are expected to take part in the RideLondon event

Now taking on a new challenge, Ben joins thousands of other cyclists in the RideLondon festival on Sunday, May 29, as riders are able to select a charity for which they would like to raise money.

The route is from Victoria Embankment in central London, to Essex via Epping Forest, where he’ll circle back to London for the finish line at Tower Bridge.

Ben is accepting donations via his Go Fund Me page.