Hello, my name is Craig Blain. I am a beneficiary family member to The Joshua Tree and one of 16 riders taking part in the Giraffe to Giraffe ride in aid of the charity.

The Giraffe to Giraffe ride is a multi-stage, escorted bike ride, travelling from the Giraffes at London Zoo to the Giraffes at Chester Zoo covering a total of 240 miles over 3 days aiming to raising funds and awareness for the charity.

We first met the amazing Joshua Tree team as a family in 2022, after our son 8 year old son, Harry had been diagnosed and started undergoing treatment for Leukaemia.

The Giraffe to Giraffe ride has grown out of an idea to create some positive memories from our experience with cancer, and to give back to a charity which has helped us come to terms with our reality of living with cancer as a family.

Let’s be honest, cancer is shit!

Hearing the news that your child has been diagnosed is truly terrifying, and the reality is that the impact of that diagnosis reaches beyond the individual living with the disease and into you, your entire family and friends.

That said, with the support of amazing charities like The Joshua Tree, we have been able to come to terms with how to progress through our cancer journey with an air of confidence that we have the support of a team of people who understand our world, and are there for us when we need them. Not to mention the teams of amazing medical professionals who are guiding Harry through his treatment.

But why giraffes, I hear you say? 🦒

Well, some pub trivia is that giraffes are silent animals. A giraffe is incorporated into the logo for The Joshua Tree to symbolises the child’s voice, which is not heard in the treatment of their cancer.

I am immensely proud to be joined on the ride by members of 11 other beneficiary families, and some close personal friends. It is the adventure we have ahead of us as a group, and the potential of what we can achieve together that I most looking forwards to.

We will be making positive memories to last a lifetime! Hopefully with a few giraffes and laughs thrown in aling the way.

Without doubt, the most challenging part of the ride for me will be getting back on the bike after each day. We’re looking at 7 hours or so in the saddle, three days in a row! So, it’s going to be pretty interesting.

But, it is the resilience shown by the many inspirational families who have come into my life since 2022, and the spirit and attitude Harry has shown at every step on his own journey with cancer that will spur me on to complete the ride with a smile on my face, maybe with the odd grimace or two.

Training is always a bit of a challenge, with family, life, treatments and the weather to compete with. So, my approach is quite simple. Get as much time in the saddle as I can, when I can.

If I can get to the end, knowing that I have been able to raise awareness and some vital funds to support The Joshua Tree to support more families like ours, then it will certainly be worthwhile, what ever challenges lay ahead.

Please give what you can, it would mean the world to us as a family if we can reach our fundraising target for the event.

Ps. No giraffes were harmed in the writing of this text. 😂 🦒 🚲

About the charity

The Joshua Tree is a children's cancer charity that is dedicated to working closely with families affected by childhood cancers.

They support families across the North West of England and North Wales. Prioritising working with the whole family - patient, parent, siblings and grandparents - in recognising that every family’s cancer journey is unique.

They tailor their services to suit family’s specific needs, by means of emotional and practical support, such as counselling, play therapy, health and well-being advice, support in and around the home and educational engagement where required to help ensure that life remains as normal as possible during an incredibly traumatic time.

Richard Driffield, CEO at The Joshua Tree, stated:

“For many children, their loved ones, and support networks, the end of cancer treatment does not mean a simple return to normal life.

The support we provide is wide and varied, depending on each family’s unique needs, because there is no end-point to the after-effects of childhood cancer.

This event supports the vision for the charity which is; 'every family affected by childhood cancer gets the support they need.”

Learn more about The Joshua Tree at:

https://thejoshuatree.org.uk

Thank you for your support