A Swedish FC United of Manchester fan, confessing to never having done much cycling before, will bike over 1,600 miles to his team’s home ground in a bid to raise funds for Doctors Without Borders.
Linus Lind, 31, hopes to cover the distance when he sets off from his home in Uppsala tomorrow to Broadhurst Park – the site of the almost complete FC United ground in Moston – by August 30.
Linus is targeting the 10,000 Swedish krona mark, around £850, but as people hear more about his arduous journey he is hopeful the cash will start to roll in for Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), founded in 1971.
“It’s like an FC United pilgrimage. I support the club, the values, the ideas of democratic club ownership and the social work the club does,” Linus told MM in a Facebook chat.
“I had the idea about going to Manchester on a bike about a year ago and when the new stadium was scheduled for opening this season that’s when I knew when to go.
“I’ve biked a bit in Tuscany before and done a few stretches in Sweden but never longer than 10 days.
“I want to raise some money on the way by asking friends, family, strangers and FC United fans to support my bike ride by donating a few bucks to MSF through a fundraising page.”
You can donate to the page here and track his progress on Twitter.
Linus said his admiration for the movement, a humanitarian-aid NGO in over 60 countries with more than 20,000 medical (and other) volunteers that work in war-torn regions and developing countries facing endemic diseases, was a driving force behind the expedition.
“I am a psychology student myself and I’ve listened to a few lectures of psychologists and doctors who have worked for them. It’s a charity I admire.”
Linus will be updating his blog throughout the journey and will hopefully reach his final destination by the end of next month to watch FC United play Ramsbottom at Bower Fold in Stalybridge.
Main image courtesy of Facebook, with thanks.
