Philip Palmer
Phil's page
Fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support
Story
Thank-you for taking the time to look at my page – please do not leave without donating :-) click 'read more' for details on:
- The Challenge
- The Cause
- The Training.
Thanks in advance
Phil
The Challenge : Between the 26th March & 7th April 2011, I will be joining about 50 people in cycling from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Coast for Macmillan Cancer Support. I will be cycling for 8 consecutive days just over 680km in total. They promise it to be “an extremely testing physical challenge” (which I now find a bit worrying), cycling over undulating countryside and in all weathers. Including, day 5 starting at 250 meters above sea level, ending the day at 3,000 meters. i.e. one really big hill (did not read that bit until after I had signed up). For more details about the actual challenge please follow this link. http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Fundraising/Bikingevents/MexicoCoastToCoastCyclingChallenge/MexicoCoastToCoastCyclingChallenge.aspx The Cause : Each and every day 739 people in the UK are told they have Cancer. More than 2 million people in UK today have had a cancer diagnosis, and more than one in three will be diagnosed at some time in their life. I actually did not know that before starting this 1 in 3 !!! Macmillan are shaping the future of cancer care. Their increasing range of services, including Macmillan nurses, doctors and other health and social care professionals, cancer care centres, a range of cancer information, practical help at home and help with money, is funded entirely through the generosity of their supporters. More information about the great work they do can be found here. www.macmillan.org.uk I have pledged to raise a minimum of £3,500 to take part in this event of which a minimum of 65% will benefit Macmillan Cancer support. (excluding additional costs which I cover personally). I am hoping to raise more than this and you can help with this challenge, which I am aware is a very minor one compared with the challenge cancer patients face each day (1 in 3 people). The Training : Although I have a few months to get into tip top physical shape for this, this is going to be a real challenge, esp. since before starting my nickname around the office was Doughnut (both for my love of Krispy Kreams – but also the shape I was taking I have made a good start; I went out and bought a bike (the first one I have owned since school) and I can feel the good karma flowing, esp. when I walked into the bike shop, told the assistant, "I would like a bike and accessories but I know nothing about bikes – here is my credit card", he looked overjoyed. I have started cycling to work every day, through central London, where the biggest challenges seem to be buses, however, I have figured out they are jealous as they are big, fat and slow – hence the reason they try and kill me every morning. Also I am lucky that where I am working is cycle friendly, well they have showers, which is probably actually more co-worker friendly. I have made a further commitment to Jill, to never wear Lycra cycling shorts, and if I do need the bum padding, then to ensure they are worn under normal shorts at all times. In an effort to increase my general fitness as well, I have signed up for British Military fitness (www.britmilfit.com). Basically, paying ex-squadies to run a school games lesson in Victoria Park 3 times a week. Which is surprisingly really good fun, esp. in the rain. Although, I am currently in the old, fat, slow people group I think the technical term is beginners. If you are interested I have also set up a blog to track my progress, both with training and my general ramblings, and sponsorship events. Despites Heidi’s question of why? Who is going to read it? At least it will give me something to do http://phil-across-mexico.blogspot.com Anyway, if you have managed to get this far through my ramblings, please do not leave without clicking the donate button. Thanks in advance for your support in this great cause.