A group of 6 members of staff at Lancaster & Morecambe College are taking part in a Charity Cycle to support Cancer Care and in memory of staff member Richard Paillou.

Richard was a long-standing member of the Engineering department and taught hundreds of students across all levels. He was a kind soul who would go out of his way to help anyone and always put others first before himself. He is greatly missed, by not just his colleagues, but the wider LMC Community.

The ride will start and finish at Lancaster & Morecambe College on our Community Open Day, 1 July 2023. The route goes through Cockerham, Great Plumpton, Wrea Green, Lytham St Annes, Blackpool, along the Fylde Coast, Cleveleys, Fleetwood, Thornton, Hambleton, Pilling and then back to the College, covering a huge 80 miles!

The Open Day is fun for everyone and we would love to have as many people there to welcome the team back at the finish line.

https://www.lmc.ac.uk/events/community-open-day

Everyone is welcome to attend, the more the merrier!

Dave Garnett, Paul Carroll, Mathew Dawson and partner, Liam Taylor and Terry Palmer, are all taking part in the Charity Cycle to raise money for Cancer Care, a charity very close to one rider's heart.

Dave began receiving counselling at CancerCare early last year after losing his mother and cousin in the same week.

The charity offers free professional support and therapy for people affected by a cancer diagnosis or bereavement and its services were recommended by the Lancaster and Morecambe College Pastoral/Safeguarding Team.

Dave was referred for sessions with counsellor Shelley Price at CancerCare’s Slynedales Centre in Lancaster, and her support had a hugely positive impact on him mental well-being at a very difficult time when he was struggling to cope with his grief.

Dave said: “Shelley made me feel comfortable from the outset and helped me to rationalise everything, she taught me how to talk to the various pieces of my bickering personality and tell them to give me some space and time.

“Shelley also helped with things I didn't know were connected with grief, the triggers that set the emotions off and how to deal with them in a sympathetic way. During the sessions with Shelley I don't think I've ever cried so much before but she was always really understanding and showed me compassion beyond what I expected.

“The lessons learned from Shelley have stayed with me and will continue help me in the future.”

For more information about CancerCare services visit cancercare.org.uk or call 03330 150 628.