An unfortunate part of life is that almost all of us will know or love someone that will be afflicted by cancer in our lifetimes. It goes without saying that cancer is a horrible disease that can drastically affect people’s lives.

Unfortunately, one of M7’s own, Richard Fletcher was diagnosed with Myeloma. Myeloma is a blood cancer arising from plasma cells. At any one time, there are around 24,000 people living with Myeloma in the UK. It accounts for 15 percent of blood cancers, and two percent of all cancers.

As part of M7’s charity initiatives this year, we have agreed to support Richard with a charity bike ride to raise funds for Myeloma UK. The ride will be a four-day trip from London to Paris on the 7-11th of September. M7 is also offering to support 6 more M7 riders; Jack Thoms, David Nolan, Martin Betts, Jeff Davies, Will Heywood and Peter Wenzel alongside one of Richard's close friends, Andre Boudon.

Last week, five fearless M7ers also braved the waxing battlefield to raise funds for Myeloma UK and our M7 cycle squad. Showing no pain is no gain, Richard Fletcher, Jack Thoms, Martin Betts, David Nolan, and Will Heywood donned their bravest faces as they took the hot seat in Katie Richardson's very own salon for the day. With a special feature from Euan Burns, who stepped in to lend a helping hand with Martin Betts' wax, and yes, it was all caught on camera (see pictures above).

We have asked Richard to provide some information on why this is a charity he feels passionately about and this was his response:

“After my own diagnosis in 2018, the charity provided me and my family huge amounts of information about the disease and the potential treatments. This provided great support and an important calm to counter the initial panic the diagnosis caused.

Myeloma UK provides patient and (as important!) carer

support but also access and funds for R&D to explore new treatments and finance trials, such as the incredible trial I gained a place on in Germany for CAR-T Therapy.

Although there are new treatments that are becoming available all the time, Myeloma is still unfortunately an incurable and thus terminal cancer. Once relapses inevitably occur and treatment is required, being fit and healthy is an important part of coping with the treatment and getting back to normal life again quickly. The challenge of riding from London to Paris will keep me focused in case I have to deal with this again.

The charity’s slogan is “Making Myeloma History”. Although they are getting closer to the disease becoming like diabetes, whereby it can be under complete control if managed properly, they are not there yet. And this is where we want to get to.”