We all have reasons to do a challenge and to fund raise for a cause. These reasons are so personal, but I’ve learnt we are not alone in our quests to push the boundaries and to raise awareness about a charity,  We share our grief and we honour those we’re fighting for or remember those we’ve lost. 

This is where my story begins when I learned, along with my Mum, sister and family that Dad had terminal cancer. That was on the 1st October 2021 when he went in to hospital with suspected Long COVID and came out with stage four cancer in the colon, liver and lung. On the 25th March 2022 he succumbed. The man that had inspired so many, had the heart of a lion and the strength of an Ox was gone. We were dumbstruck. We felt alone and empty from the void that had been created. The chair that was always filled was empty. The voice that filled the room was silent. 

After learning of my Dad’s illness, I pledged to ride the length of France, with a detour through the Alps to add some extra spice. I asked him to name his charity and he chose Dove House Hospice. A local charity that depends on charitable donations to provide patients and care for people at the end of their lives, providing therapies to help people with life limiting illnesses improve their quality of life, or giving much needed bereavement support to grieving families. They are a wonderful charity, that my Dad didn’t need the support of due to his sudden departure, but many rely on every day. 

My quest was going to be solo until my good friend’s Gary Baugh and Paul Fitzpatrick thought my crazy idea was not so crazy (with a few adjustments!). My brother in law Phil Kent then threw his hat in too. We have fabulous mechanical, refreshment and baggage transportation support in the form of Nick Siddons. 

What’s not to like about cycling 1,200 miles in 11 days whilst climbing 92,000 ft, which is over 3 times the height of Everest? This ride starts from Calais, in the north of France at the English Channel, on the 2nd September 2022. This is a significant date as it would have been my Dad’s 75th Birthday.

We finish in Antibes, in the south of France at the Mediterranean, on the 12th September 2022 with my Mum and family members to greet us. 

As if this wasn’t enough, my friend Rob Baddeley has pledged to hike the National 3 Peaks in 24 hours: Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon. The total walking distance is 23 miles and the total ascent is 10,052ft (about 3,000m). To support Rob, I will be driving the distance between the peaks, which totals 462 miles.

We hope you can support us by donating to Dove House Hospice. 

https://www.dovehouse.org.uk

This is our epic challenge and our worthy cause. 

Thank you,

Nick, Gary, Paul, Phil, Nick & Rob