Sean back in the saddle

Buy photos » Sean Newman getting back in the saddle for another marathon charity ride. Picture by Jon Mullis. 29.012.042.rug.jm1 (www.buyphotos247.com).

SEAN Newman is getting back on his bike for another marathon charity ride just two years after nearly losing his life in a horror cycling accident in America.

The determined estate agent is preparing to pedal 3,000 miles around the coast of the UK to raise £100,000 for homeless charities.

The daunting challenge comes after Sean was left with two broken legs, a broken pelvis and a fractured spine after being hit by a lorry in July 2010 near New Orleans while attempting a coast to coast ride across the USA.

Sean - who was riding with cancer survivor James Golding to raise money for cancer charities - was thrown 120ft from his bike, and two bikers who went to his rescue found him lying unconscious and thought he was dead.

But Sean battled back to fitness and even completed the Los Angeles Marathon in March last year.

And now he is getting back in the saddle.

The 45-year-old told The Observer: "I've been training. I was a bit nervous when I first got back on a bike. I went for a ride at Draycote Water where it was nice and quiet and soon felt comfortable again.

"If you fall off a horse you have to get back on, and I relish a challenge and want to raise awareness of homelessness.

Sean, who volunteers helping the homeless at St Andrew's Church, wants to help those less fortunate than himself.

He said: "I'm just happy to be alive. I've got a few screws here and there but I'm not one to complain. If people ask me how I am then I tell them I'm fine, which I am.

"I am grateful for what I have, but there are people with nowhere to live, for whatever reason, and they need help.

“Being an estate agent and letting agent I am in the business of finding people somewhere to live. However

not everyone can afford to buy or rent a home so this charity is close to my heart. Becoming homeless can

happen to anyone, especially in this economic climate”

The father-of-two, who owns and runs Newman Estate Agents, will be setting off on July 28.

The ride is being sponsored by the property website Zoopla who have provided a support vehicle for the 32 day challenge.

Sean will be doing the challenge with fellow estate agent Jon Cooke and will be joined by

other property professionals from round the UK who will be sponsoring a leg and cycling various

sections with them.

Visit www.gbpropertycycle.co.uk for more information, or to follow Sean’s progress or take part,

or www.justgiving.com/The-Estate-Agency-Foundation to make a donation.

On August 29, the day after completing the ride, Sean will be sleeping rough in Rugby, joining a number of volunteers for 'Sleep Out - To Help Out' to help raise more money and awareness of the homeless.

Regional news »