Matt and Rob's Big Cycle Challenge

19th August 2023 - 25th August 2023

In January 2018, my mother in law Alison Davies was given the devastating diagnosis of terminal cancer - her short brave battle was lost in June 2018. In May 2018, my father Nigel Turtle was also given the devastating diagnosis of terminal cancer - his short brave battle was lost in November 2018. In both instances, Alison's family and my family were helped enormously by Dorothy House Hospice (DHH), whether it was the end of life plan, pain management or just a friendly shoulder to cry on, their presence helped us on our journey when it felt that the bottom of our World had fallen out.

Fast forward to 2022, and another long standing Great Somerford family, were also being helped by Dorothy House, Peter Loftus had a long and brave battle with cancer, but unfortunately, he died in the Hospice in January 2022. So in talking with Peters children, who we all went to the same village school growing up, we wanted to give something back to Dorothy House, as with the pandemic, and the current Inflationary pressures, charities are really struggling to maintain a constant flow of donations.

So, in order to try and raise some money for DHH, I came up with the idea of cycling from our village pub, to Val D'Isere (Col De L'Iseran. Alt 2,770m), only 775 miles give or take in 7 days, what's the worst that could happen, bearing in mind the furthest I had cycled when thinking up this plan was 20 miles.

So why cycling and why Val? Well my fathers childhood was filled with stories of cycling here there and everywhere, Alison's happy place was the French mountains and Peter loved the outdoors, mountains and challenges, so I've encompassed all of their memories in one simple trip.

I am not tackling this on my own, Peter's son Robin who love's a challenge has also signed up.

Thanks for reading, if you can donate anything, that would be awesome, together we are aiming for £2,000 as that would help cover 2 days care for 1 person in the inpatient unit, if not, just spreading the word of the great work that Dorothy House do is more than enough.

With thanks, Matt Turtle & Robin Loftus.