The  '7 C's Challenge 2019' 

                                              AKA  '5 cycles and 2 Swims'

                          Seven challenges   -   1 goal  -   Raise £50,000

My name is Peter Reynolds and up until April 2016, I was leading a normal life. Working hard, keeping fit, eating sensibly, never smoking or drinking. I cycled a lot, finding it a brilliant way to keep fit and release stress. Then, my world was turned upside down. I fell ill very suddenly as the result of an auto-immune disease. I needed a liver transplant to save my life. It all happened incredibly quickly. How was I to know that 1 in 10 people in the UK suffered from liver disease, and that it remains the fifth biggest killer of men and women in the UK? 

My wife Sylvia and two boys, Jay and Phil, were superb in their support of me. Although we were all shocked when it happened, we talked and agreed it was all about staying positive and working together as a family. Calling ourselves 'Team Reynolds' was our way of saying we were facing this prospect together. We were all sporty so we all appreciated the massive benefits derived from teamwork. We understood that when you all pull together, it's amazing how much more can be achieved. So, especially during the dark times. I never felt alone. I always had the comfort of knowing Team Reynolds was with me. Maybe not physically at that moment in time, but they were in my heart and in my thoughts.

To my amazement, all our talk of togetherness began to rub off on those around us. The positivity we generated and the team spirit we enjoyed seemed to become infectious. Team Reynolds began to rapidly expand as more and more people invested in our approach. From starting as a team consisting of myself, my wife and sons, the team began to assimilate the health care assistant's at QEHB, the nurses (ward and specialist), porters, cleaners, psychologists, doctors, right through to the head surgeon of my transplant team. It made an enormous difference to our mental, physical and emotional state, as well as acting as a wonderful catalyst for my recovery. Team Reynolds was here to stay - and growing bigger with each day!

Within three months of falling ill, I had received a liver transplant and was on the road to recovery. 

Within one week of the transplant, I was released from hospital. 

Within one month, I was back on my turbo-trainer indoors.

Within  two months, I was back cycling on the road.

Within three months I was taking part in a training session at Anfield, home of Liverpool FC, courtesy of an LFC sponsor. 

Don't anyone try telling me we don't have the best NHS staff in the world!

Whilst recovering, I learned that it costs the NHS £50,000 to pay for a liver transplant. So, in an effort to repay them, the Liver Foundation UK, the staff at QEHB and in honour of my donor and his family, I have set out to raise that amount. With your help, that's exactly what we can do!

Starting in September 2017, I began completing 7 Challenges a year. Together with my fellow Team Reynolds cycling and swimming partners, we have already completed trials we would never have dreamed we could overcome alone. 

The calendar for 2019 includes completing:

                                       The  '7C's Challenge 2019' 

                 Seven challenges  -  1 goal  -   Raising £50,000

1.  May  2019   -   Birmingham Velo   #   Cycle 161 km

2.  June  2019   -  Great North Swim  #   2 miles

3.  July  2019   -   Coast to Coast Ride  #   Cycle 237 km

4.  August  2019   -   Great Scottish Swim   #   2 miles

5.  September  2019   -   Great North Velo   #   Cycle 161 km

6.  October 2019   -   London to Paris   #   Cycle 398 km

7.  November 2019   -   Giants Causeway Velo   #   Cycle 125 km

(Dates subject to change depending upon weather and health conditions)

Since this all this began, I have become very much aware that you NEVER know when something like this could happen to you or a member of your family. Who knows who'll be next person to need that life-saving opportunity?  If it's you who needs it, the NHS will be there to serve you. It is, in my experience, bursting at the seams with QP's; quality people. People who are passionate about helping you and me, yours and mine. Quality people who seldom ask for, expect or receive, the thanks and gratitude they deserve. They do it because they care. 

They are my new heroes now ...

If you want to read more on my journey, please go on to blog page. I will keep you posted on how my training is going and how I cope with each of the 7 challenges. There will be good times and tough times, but it will be great to have you sharing my journey. If you would like to donate any amount of money, that will be hugely appreciated.  However, if you just aren't in a position to do that, but want to send me some positivity, that will also be cool. Please feel free to leave me a message on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.  

Together, we can save a life!

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