25.9.06 £100 donated by Jadaal Properties Ltd

14.9.06 Collected by Tim Grisdale – many thanks to all who sponsored us -  C D Wain Insurance, the staff of Grisdales Cockermouth Office, Jadaal Properties, Myers & Bowman, Ann Wilson, Thomas Armstrong Ltd. Bleasdales Solicitors, Print Demon, Firpress Design, Print & Stationery, Waugh & Musgrave Solicitors, J A Lee Window Cleaners, Dorothy Boyd,  Keith Mandale, Vicky Daley, Paul Eurich, Goodfellows Tyres, Shirley & Ian Allison, Joan Grisdale, John Mather, Rich and Nora Tubman and George Lattimer of Lattimer Homes.   

12.9.06 Many thanks to Mr Ray Tuck of RTE Electrical Engineers for the donation of £200

28.8.06 Further donation from Dr D G Clarkson £75

18.8.06 £802 collected by David and Diane Hayton. Thanks to friends and family, Border Construction Ltd and Staff, members of B&R Anderson Dance Group.

15.8.06 Thanks to Mr P and Mrs L Cottrill for your contribution via Dave Clarkson

Update 22.7.06

Received with thanks from Dr D Clarkson and his patients and colleagues £1,141 (£1,191 15.8.06). From Paddle School and BJ's keep fit class £103 collected by Kit Brown and from Michael & Jenny Foot £50, from Michael and Josie Hemmings £100.

Update 14.7.06

Andrew on Radio Cumbria with Martin Plenderleith reliving the Raid

Thanks to; Hydro Ellay Enfield Ltd £251 raised by the employees, West Lakes College and the people of Pardshaw who contributed.

Update 9.7.06

Collected by Barry Johnson £270, paid direct to Cancer Research UK; thank you to: Sarah Robinson, Ali, Kellas and Caroline Relton, Willie Rawling, John Millington, Mr & Mrs Cuckson and Valerie Johnson. The proceeds from the Coledale Horseshoe were also included in the donation. 

Update 7.7.06

Great publicity from Border TV today, 2 features; Andrew at lunch time and then great footage from the Pyrenees in the evening from the footage we shot as a video diary.

Update 29.6.06

All the Flyers are safely home having completed the Raid in 99 hours 1 hour less than the target. A full update will follow shortly, but in summary "IT WAS HARD" not for the faint hearted, the passes go on for ever and the extra weight on the bikes from carrying all your own gear makes it even harder. The weather varied from blazing sun to Thunderstorm, but the scenary was breathtaking, not that there was often much breath left after all the ascents!

Update 8.6.06

All up early for photoshoot for the Times and Star at 7:30 am in front of the Black Cock. Very good article on the front page of the Times and Star 9.6.06 except it missed out the web page details. Fortunately Tim had placed an advert giving details within his usual advert in the property section and the T&S has promised to put the web site details in the next isue. Border TV have shown interest and interviewed Andrew and his wife Val and this and footage of Andrew riding should appear soon on Look around. They have also asked him to keep a Video diary of the big ride for possible transmission on the flyers return from the big ride. Further publicity should be generated by an interview on Radio Cumbria at 10:30 on Monday 12.6.06

Update 10.5.06

The Flyers got of to a good start on Sunday with all members completing the Fred Whitton Challenge a 114 mile route in the Lake District which includes 6 of the most difficult passes in the UK. The challenge is particularly fitting as it is run in the memory of Fred Whitton who was the Lakes Road Club racing secretary for many years and died of cancer at the age of 50. Johnny Walker on Radio 2 gave us a plug, lets hope this translates into contributions! All now feel more confident of completing the big challenge - On y va.

In late 2005 I was invited to join 5 friends to cycle the classic Raid Pyrenean from Hendaye on the Atlantic coast to Cebere on the Mediterranean a journey of 450 miles (720km) tackling 18 cols and 11,000m of ascent in under 100 hours. A few days later just before Christmas I was diagnosed as suffering from secondary brain Tumours from an earlier bout of Oesophageal cancer. This was diagnosed in 2003, but was well treated and since I have undertaken a number of major events; ½ and full marathons, major cycle rides etc. to raise money for Cancer Research.