As reported in The Press, 18-year-old George Malcolm set off this morning (January 14) from York Minster for the first leg of his 18-month epic journey back to the family home in New Zealand.
The Malcolm family had returned back to Heworth for Christmas and the New Year from their home in Nelson on the South Island.
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With mum Ruth, dad Angus and brother and sister Tom and Emily already en route to New Zealand on a plane via Hong Kong, the guard of honour seeing George off from Deangate included grandmother Jean Mackay, his great aunt Ann, Ruth’s friend Keeley Shaw and her mum and dad, Pauline and Peter.
Jean Mackay said: “My husband Neill enjoyed cycling and we’re all very proud of George.
“We’re a little bit nervous but excited and wish him all the very best.
“It’s something he needs and it fits his personality perfectly.”
George is riding to Bradford to catch up with an aunt on the first leg, and said he intended to take each day at a time, and only thinking about the next stage after that.
He has a mid-2027 deadline of arrival back in Nelson in order to continue with his ambitions of becoming a park ranger in New Zealand.