Keith Whiteman wants children to have the best start in life.
This weekend he took part in a cycle challenge raising money for the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal.
The Tauranga man cycled 230km to various Countdown stores in the Bay of Plenty. Money raised in the appeal goes to children's wards in hospitals around the country.
Mr Whiteman, who is the Bay of Plenty Countdown area manager, said his grandchild was born premature and needed a lot of help from doctors.
"I can totally appreciate the value of hospitals and the work all the doctors and nurses do." On Friday Mr Whiteman biked 143.6km from Matamata to Greerton visiting eight Countdown supermarkets and on Saturday he biked another 87.7km, starting at Countdown Bayfair and ending up at Countdown Whakatane.