To keep the pot boiling until Pisa-Roma next Sept 2023, my son Joe’s friend, the remarkable Sam Edgerley (you may remember the pocket rocket from Paris 2016), has come up with an interim fundraising idea this coming Saturday 1st October. Never one to do things by half, he’s planning to run 100 miles in one go - that’s nearly 4 marathons back-to-back. He’ll be joined by his good friend Joe Franklin for the whole distance.
•    On Friday evening 30th September, they’re going to set off from Putney, along the Thames (to keep it flat) westwards through the night to Marlow (exact location tbc).
•    Then reverse back to Windsor by 10-10.30 Saturday morning where we’ll be hosting a fundraising coffee and cake reception at our house.
•    From there, they’ll be joined for the final 26 mile marathon by several other runners including my son Joe and friends Christian and Will (who last year did a Triathlon Myeloma UK fundraiser), along the Thames to Battersea Park.
•    At Battersea, another bunch of runners will be ready to join the boys for the final 10km loop, finishing back at Battersea Park for a mass finish by around 4.30-5.
•    The Prince Albert Pub, next to Battersea Park will then be the venue for refreshments, merriment and further fund raising.

We’d love to see any of you located around Windsor or the Thames Valley, or alternatively in London, get involved or support the boys in any way you can, in any part of the day or event.
I’m assuming no one else fancies the 100 miles, and the last marathon is a bit of a stretch too but here’s how to get involved or help:-
•    From early Saturday morning, Sam could do with support either at Marlow (approx. 7-7.30am) or on your bike along the Thames back to Windsor (my son Ross will be joining them on this section).
•    Then at our house in Windsor, we’ll be hosting a fundraising coffee and homemade cakes morning - between 9-12 (secure bike parking available). The lads are scheduled to arrive 10-10.30 (but you’ll appreciate this could vary after 67 miles of running) and they can’t stop for long in case they seize up. So ideally, please be here between 9.30-11, but anytime is good.
•    If you could bake a cake for us that would be brilliant.
•    If you’re in London and feeling fit, they’ll be a Myeloma UK running vest ready for you to join in the last 10km (estimated start time 3.30) along with 10-20 other runners (donation required for entry).
•    And finally, everyone is very welcome to join us at the Prince Albert in Battersea, which we’ve booked out from 5pm onwards, for drinks, raffle and some live music.

And of course, whether or not you’re able to join us on the day, we’re looking for sponsorship for all the participants and events all day. You can donate here on this page or on Sam's UltraBob100 page (which will allow Gift Aid). All funds will be collated under the UltraBob100 Team.

Sam's page: 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ultrabob100

Look forward to seeing you on the day - Saturday 1st October - and/or thanks for your donations in advance.

Proceeds and My Health
Having exhausted all the licensed drugs by the start of this year, I began a trial for a new experimental class of drug. Since then, I have been through the worst period of my life dealing with the side effects of the trial drug, Covid, a myeloma back issue requiring further radiotherapy and leaving me unable to walk, then with sticks, and definitely unable to cycle, and severe anaemia, requiring Lance Armstrong style blood transfusions and EPO. With that sort of medication, it’s a shame my back is still too sore to cycle.But here’s the amazing bit – the drug has driven my myeloma almost to a state of remission. This is something I have not really got anywhere near in the previous 10 years. So, considering all the other available drugs had stopped working for me, this is close to a miracle.

Which leads me on nicely to say that not only have I been fortunate to ride the explosion in new Myeloma drugs to stay in the game for the past 10 years, I am now benefitting from this remarkable new drug. And, the R&D for these drugs has been massively accelerated by patient inspired fund raising, such as the London Paris Ride, and numerous family & friend’s events, which funnel money into Myeloma UK’s Clinical Trials and Advocacy work.

Proof, if ever you needed it, of the value of research, clinical trials and the fund raising that you have already done, or are about to do, which helps make it possible. Thank you so much from me and my family and on behalf of all Myeloma patients.

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