10 day bike ride from Lands End - John O Groats

02 - 12 June 2008

Emily Rose Loughrey passed away peacefully on 12 June 2007 aged 22 years. Emily was diagnosed with possible bowel cancer, however the primary source was unknown.

Olly and Tom will be joining Matt Loughrey (Emily's dad and creator of the idea and his best friend, Russ Oldfield on a LEJOG (Lands End to John O Groats) bike ride next year. We are starting on what would have been Emilys 23rd birhday, 2nd June and will be completing it on 12th June 2008. We will also be joined at various stages by more of emily's friends and family.

For direct links to matt's own justgiving site please click www.justgiving.com/mattloughrey

Or continue reading for Matt's explanation of why we are all taking on this challenge...

In January this year Emily and her Uni friend Natalie went off on their post graduate travels to Australia. Emily touched down in Cairns and went straight to the hospital complaining of swollen glands. She was treated for three blood clots and it was thought she had DVT due to the flights. She continued on with the holiday. Six weeks later the girls moved on to Sydney where Emily, having felt a little unwell was admitted to St Vincents Hospital. It was there a brilliant young consultant, who was not happy with the original diagnosis  pushed for further tests. During a phone call to my wife  the doctor advised that Emily would need her Mum as Em's friend Natalie was travelling on to Thailand to continue their travels. My wife arrived in Sydney two days later and was told of the heartbreak news that Emily had a wild form of cancer.

Emily and her Mum arrived back in the UK on March 16th, further tests were carried out through the Royal Marsden. Her first Chemo session was early April. Three sessions later towards the end of May, Emily complained of a headache and was admitted back into hospital. It was the day before her 22nd Birthday. We then discovered two legions had appeared on her brain.

Eleven days later Emily passed away peacefully with her little sister Jessica, Mum Caroline and I at her side

As a family we will be forever in debt to Emily Rose for giving us 22 years of treasured moments, they were quality years. The debt also runs to the staff of Kennaway Ward at the Royal Marsden Sutton and the CLIC Sargent charity team there for the support they gave to all of the Loughrey Family.

 CLIC Sargent  provide outstanding pastoral care and support  for all young people aged 16-24 with cancer.

Please donate to CLIC Sargent this is a wonderful worth while charity.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to donate: CLIC Sargent will receive your money electronically and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in Gift Aid will be added to your donation at no cost to you.

For more information on the event and details of our 900 mile route please visit

http://www.em-bo.co.uk/

http://em-bo.blogspot.com/


Many thanks for your support,

Olly and Tom

With thanks for donations and generous support received offline:-

Geoff @ Beech underwriting agencies

Bill @ Bikes, bikes, bikes, Gillingham

Steve, tracey, Emily and David

Jean, Jack, Jo and Betty

Barming Scout Group

Dave Cole