Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
Some of you reading this will be familiar with my story having sponsored me for Mt Ventoux last year. But, just to recap...
You may know that sadly my dad passed away in January of last year. For the last three years of his life he had cancer.
For much of that period, he spent every Thursday at Michael Sobell House, a hospice affiliated to Mount Vernon Hospital where he met other inspirational people in the same boat as he and who would continue to valiantly fight this disease. Initially, he was very, very reluctant to spend time in a "hospice". But, after going for the first time he immediately made some good friends, and found the staff to be exemplary in their care.
He was an extremely social man but, unable to go out on Saturday nights with mum as he religiously would in previous years, he would look forward to his Thurdays at MSH with great enthusiasm.
He was first diagnosed with cancer in the summer of 2009, and within a matter of weeks he had his stomach out. After a few complications, he recovered and over the next two years he was almost like a young man again as you will see from the video on the Ventoux page.
But then it came back, on his aorta this time so surgery was out of the question. Instead he underwent chemotherapy and tolerated it very well. Sadly though, the cancer spread and following a rapid deterioration he died peacefully with our family at his bedside the day before his 75th birthday.
This year's challenge is the PRU 100 mile ride (in one day) from London to Surrey and back. It's about 8 to 8.5 hrs in the sadlle all up. I have never cycled 100 miles in one day before (Ventoux was 70).
Your sponsirship will be greatfully received, however small. In return I promise to make it!
MSH is a special place requiring £1.2M a year to maintain service - all from donations, legacies and the like. Please, dig deep and donate now.
Thank you.
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