James Weeks
Fred Whitton Challenge 2015
Fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support
Story
The Fred Whitton Challenge is one of the most popular sportives in the UK and is also famed as being particularly difficult.
The challenge consists of a 112 mile sportive around the Lake District, starting at Grasmere and taking in climbs of Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, Hardknott & Wrynose passes.
This is a very tough route and going on rider feedback the hardest one day ride in the UK, the event includes all the Lakeland passes, one with a 30% gradient and this comes at 98 miles. The very top riders complete the route in just under six hours but eleven hours and over are not uncommon for the average Sportive rider.
As the name suggests, it is run in honour of Fred Whitton. Fred, who died aged just 50 in 1998, was an extremely popular member of the Lakes Road Club.
Macmillan Cancer Support provides medical, financial, practical and emotion help & information to cancer patients and wants to ensure that no-one faces cancer alone.
Nearly 1 in 4 newly diagnosed cancer patients lack support from family and friends during their treatment and recovery. Of these, many will receive no help whatsoever, facing cancer completely alone. More than half of isolated patients have skipped meals or not eaten properly due to a lack of support at home. More than one in four have not been able to wash themselves properly, while three in five have been unable to do household chores. 80% say the financial impact of cancer means they can’t afford to see their family or friends as much. Isolation can have a truly shattering impact. Patients are going hungry, missing medical appointments and even deciding to reject treatment altogether which could be putting their lives at risk – all because of a lack of support.
The number of people living with cancer is set to double by 2030 we need to tackle this issue now. A small financial grant from Macmillan can make a real difference
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
The challenge consists of a 112 mile sportive around the Lake District, starting at Grasmere and taking in climbs of Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, Hardknott & Wrynose passes.
This is a very tough route and going on rider feedback the hardest one day ride in the UK, the event includes all the Lakeland passes, one with a 30% gradient and this comes at 98 miles. The very top riders complete the route in just under six hours but eleven hours and over are not uncommon for the average Sportive rider.
As the name suggests, it is run in honour of Fred Whitton. Fred, who died aged just 50 in 1998, was an extremely popular member of the Lakes Road Club.
Macmillan Cancer Support provides medical, financial, practical and emotion help & information to cancer patients and wants to ensure that no-one faces cancer alone.
Nearly 1 in 4 newly diagnosed cancer patients lack support from family and friends during their treatment and recovery. Of these, many will receive no help whatsoever, facing cancer completely alone. More than half of isolated patients have skipped meals or not eaten properly due to a lack of support at home. More than one in four have not been able to wash themselves properly, while three in five have been unable to do household chores. 80% say the financial impact of cancer means they can’t afford to see their family or friends as much. Isolation can have a truly shattering impact. Patients are going hungry, missing medical appointments and even deciding to reject treatment altogether which could be putting their lives at risk – all because of a lack of support.
The number of people living with cancer is set to double by 2030 we need to tackle this issue now. A small financial grant from Macmillan can make a real difference
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.