Story
In 2019, my dad and I cycled from Paris to London in memory of our young family friend, Elias Taylor, who very sadly passed away from leukaemia. In 2022, we cycled from Paris to Poitiers. In 2025, we will be cycling again from Lyon to raise money for the charity in Elias' name.
What are we raising money for? Well, thanks to people's generosity over the last couple of years, the research project in Elias' memory is now up and running in partnership with Haematology Cancer Care, looking at how CAR T treatment, which had given us so much hope for Elias, can be improved to save lives. Every pound raised by our riders has gone directly to the charity to fund research and buy an aphereris machine which is helping leukaemia patients right now, every day.
We have now raised over £300K, and aim to reach £500K in 2025 to take the research to the next level and fund more PHDs.
With love from The Elias Taylor Vegas After Party.
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A word from Ollie... "I must say this here, I reckon I'll be able to do the mileage. I'm on the Peloton most days (low intensity rides and stretching classes). I'm in the form of my life. I back myself to complete it. The challenge is therefore a mental one. Four days - again - straight with Roger Kay back-to-back, no respite, no let-off. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The man has no off switch. He spent the last two bike rides talking to everyone all the time. He talks in his sleep. I have the video evidence to prove it. Had he spent less time gassing and more time cycling we could have done it in two days instead of three. So, you get my drift. Please donate generously. Thank you."
A word from Roger... "There were more hills last time around, and I should have brought some cycling shoes instead of men's fashion trainers made by my wife, but at least it was better than the first ride where my son turned up with a stinking cold, snored every night, and kept telling me off for not going fast enough. I'm doing pilates and feeling good about the ride. Might get myself one of those ebikes, but Ollie said people won't donate as much if I do that. I guess the challenge is also a mental one. Please donate generously. Thank you."
A word from Elias' parents, Giselle and Jonathan: "We are humbled by your generosity and know that Elias would have been very proud and would have loved every minute."
A word from the charity... "We have a strong community of patients, families and staff committed to supporting haematological cancers through fundraising activities and events. Uniquely, we are run by senior clinical staff working closely with all haematology teams and haematology patients ensuring donations make a significant impact on the services here at UCLH. We provide wide-ranging support including high-tech medical equipment and research projects, free complementary therapy for patients and specialist education for nurses across six inpatient wards, day-care, ambulatory care and young adult and outpatient services."