THE new High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire will be pedaling the length of the county in a fundraising eight-day bike ride.

Joe Barclay, who is in the role for 2014 to 2015, will be supporting the work of the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Community Foundations as he rides high in the saddle from May 12 to May 20.

Starting from Chesham Town Council offices at 10am on May 12 he will visit groups in which the community foundations have invested through grants and loans provided by their donors and funders.

Richard Dickson, Director of Buckinghamshire Community Foundation, said: "We are delighted that the High Sheriff Joe Barclay is supporting Buckinghamshire Community Foundation, with the funds raised supporting voluntary and community groups across the heart of Bucks. The High Sheriff’s presence in Buckinghamshire raises awareness of vital projects, and the money donated enables us to continue connecting and growing our community and helping those in need."

The Buckinghamshire groups to be visited include Chiltern Foodbank, Longridge Activity Centre, The U Project in Micklefield & Marsh, The Princes Centre in Princes Risborough, The Men In Sheds Group in Aylesbury and North Marston Community Shop.

Mr Barclay’s fundraising will help raise funds that will ultimately go to help groups in the heart of Bucks transform their communities and the lives of people who live in them.

All donations given to support Mr Barclay on his ride will be matched by a Government-backed initiative called Community First, these being funds the Community Foundations secured from the government to encourage philanthropic giving.

For every £2 that is given £1 will be added by the Government scheme plus Gift Aid. As a result every £10 donated will be worth £17.50.

Mr Barclay, a keen cyclist, has already pedalled his way around the county in preparation for his role as High Sheriff. He biked to every civil parish in the county and in Milton Keynes- 216 in total.

He said: "I did it for several reasons. I had recently retired and wanted to get slightly fitter and I wanted to get to know the county where I was going to be High Sheriff.

"It not only helped the waist line a bit but I also visited a pub every for lunch- 35 different pubs as well as 216 parishes."

Donate at http://localgiving.com/charity/highsheriffscharityride