All,

Following the training put in for the C2C I have decided to put it to good use and will be taking up three events in three months leading up to Xmas.

September The Beast – Durham

This well named route across the north of Durham County is around 50 miles and caters for the more experienced cycling enthusiast. The route is challenging as it takes in most of the hills in the north and west of the County. Starting at the Sniperley Park and Ride, the route heads along the Big Ride route towards Iverston bank and then remains on road skirting close to Wolsingham and reaching its highest point at Tow Law, before a big loop around the delightful scenery of the Countys moors before returning and eventually descending to Durham and back to the Park and ride. Now in its third official year, the Beast has been called the toughest sharp shock ride around. Rides are coming back year on year to tame the Beast.

October – Newcastle Stampeded

Back for the third year after completely selling out in 2010 and 2011, this cross country adventure run will push you to the limit. Unique and challenging obstacles have been designed by the Royal Marines and the Outdoor Fitness Company, the North East's largest bootcamp company.

November – Whinlatter  Duathalon

A challenging off road event in the northern Lake District. Whinlatter Duathlon attracts all abilities, whether you are an experienced athlete or new to multisport. The event consists of a 6.5km multi-terrain run, followed by a 18km MTB incorporating the Quercus and Altura bike trails, finishing with a final 5.5km trail run.

Please support my fundraising efforts.

Thanks - Mark

 

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Dear friend’s family and colleagues,

Many of you may or may not know that upon returning from our honeymoon last September Ruth (My wife) and I discovered that my father in law (Ruth’s dad) had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 62, a month into his retirement.

He underwent major surgery on 15th December at the Freeman Hospital Newcastle, to have this removed, along with his spleen. His tumour was subsequently found to be an extremely rare type of cancer called "Acinar cell" type, comprising around 1% of all pancreatic malignancies. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy, though there is little research to guide his doctors as to whether this will be beneficial.

As you can imagine it’s been a very hard first six months of marriage but everyone is positive and I am doing all I can to support my new extended family. Off the back of this this terrible news, Ruth, Daniel and James (My new brothers in law) have set up a charity to help other patients and their families who are faced with this diagnosis.

Pete's Pancreas Project is the fundraising effort to finance some research to help people in a similar situation. "The Dowen Trust Fund" has been set up at The Hepatobiliary Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne. 

We hope that by raising some money for this cause we can help other patients and their families who are faced with this diagnosis 

To help support this, I have offered to run a  C2C event which will be taking part in July this year. It would mean a lot to me if you could join me on the Coast to Coast and help to raise as much money as possible.

I have been lucky enough to have a number of good friends and family members agree to join me. So far this is confirmed as:

 Daniel Dowen

·         Simon Hames

·         Doug Slade

·         Simon Newton

·         Louise O'Hara

·         Heather Constable

·         Phil Day

 

Lots of people have expressed interested in joining us and I believe the group will grow dramatically over the next few months.

Please review the website below for more information and to express your interest.  Please also tell your partner and friends as the more people the better. There will be a big party in Tynemouth on the Sunday night

 http://www.petespancreasproject.co.uk

 Thanks Very Much,

 Mark Thompson & the rest of the c2c team