Fergus Henderson inspires charity ride

Wine writer Jim Budd and his partner Carole Macintyre have completed a charity bike ride from Bordeaux to the Languedoc in support of Parkinson’s UK.

The ride was inspired by the chef Fergus Henderson, who has had the debilitating disease since 1998 and in memory of a friend of Budd and Macintyre’s, Ivor Morris, who inspired their love of cycling and who died of Parkinson’s in 2008.

Beginning on 12 June outside Château Lafite and ending five days and 450 kilometres later in Minervois, Budd and Macintyre arrived in time for the annual Fête des Vins in La Livnière, which is organised by Henderson and his business partner, Trevor Gulliver.

The pair were joined for one stage between Agen and Château Colombière in Fronton by Max Poynter Hall, purchasing and sales manager at HG Wine and a supplier of Henderson’s St John’s group of restaurants.

Commenting on his condition and what fundraising for the charity can achieve, Henderson said: “I have wires from a battery in my chest into my brain – this deep brain stimulation is a life-transforming miracle. Without research funded by this charity and others this would be impossible, and my life would be very different.”

So far, the ride has raised £4,617 for the charity, with a target of £6,000 set. The fundraising page can be found here.