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Spectra Group (UK) Ltd
I'm cycling the Coast to Coast cycle route for Myeloma UK because we want to raise awareness of this illness.
Event: Coast to Coast
$5,676.96 raised of $7,593.58 target
117 donations
My Target:
$7,593.58
$5,676.96 raised so far
How to make a donation
Donate online at - www.justgiving.com/Spectra-Group
By mobile internet Scan this code on your smartphone to go straight to Spectra Group's page.
By text message to donate £10 Text MHEU62 £10
to 70070
My story
Spectra Group wish to support Jim Boyle, a close friend of ours, who has recently been diagnosed with this illness. We would like to give back, in some small way, a little something to support those people affected by Myeloma to help improve treatment, standards of care through research, and raise awareness.
In late January, Jim went to his GP with a suspected broken rib after a paintballing accident. Knowing there is very little that can be done for rib injuries and a 6 week recovery, he soldiered on, daring not to sneeze, laugh or cough! After a few weeks, and with no improvement, he had X-Rays and further tests, which eventually led to blood tests and scans at the Royal United Hospital (RUH) in Bath.
The blood tests revealed that the Calcium levels in his blood were far too high and he was admitted for an infusion. On the 8 March, after further tests, Jim was diagnosed with Myeloma (bone cancer). As you can imagine, after years of leading an active and healthy lifestyle (non-smoker and non-drinker), this came as a bit of a shock to Jim, Allison and their two sons – James and Harry.
Whilst in the RUH, Jim was given 5 sessions of Radiotherapy to attack the Myeloma on his spine and sternum and is now on a cycle of chemotherapy tablets which he is able to take at home. For those that know Jim and his family, you won’t be surprised that they are all extremely positive and trying to crack on with life as normal. He is grateful for all the messages of support and visitors and remains committed to getting well and back to normal as soon as possible.
About Myeloma.
Myeloma is an increasingly common cancer of plasma cells. Plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and are responsible for protecting the body against infection. In myeloma, a single defective plasma cell (a myeloma cell) multiples rapidly, displacing the healthy bone marrow.
There are approximately 4,000 new cases of myeloma every year in the UK
It is the second most common form of bone marrow cancer and represents 1% of all cancers
97% of people in a recent survey did not know what it was
Improvement in treatments has meant that survival rates in myeloma are increasing at the fastest rate among all cancer types in the UK.
The Route
The route was opened in 1994 running from Whitehaven on the west coast of Cumbria to the North East coast at Sunderland, and has an average of between 12,000 and 15,000 cyclists completing the route every year (and literally hundreds of thousands of other doing shorter sections).
The C2C starts in the former coal mining and industrial lands of West Cumbria, travels through the stunning scenery of the northern Lake District and heads into Keswick before passing through Penrith and the Eden Valley with its lush valleys and sandstone villages. It then starts the climb up to Hartside and onto the unspoilt Northern Pennines – the roof of England. There then follows an undulating ride as the C2C meanders through old lead mining villages, such as Nenthead and Rookhope, and down into the Durham Dales before entering the old steel town of Consett. From here it’s an easy ride through one of Britain’s old industrial heartlands to the North Sea and Sunderland.
The route is best ridden from West to East to take advantage of the prevailing winds (supposedly!) from the West as well as having the gradients in your favour, i.e. short uphills and long downhills! Tradition dictates that you start the ride by dipping your back wheel in the Irish Sea and only ends when your front wheel gets a dip in the North Sea at the finish.
At 147 miles long, the C2C is part of the much larger National Cycle Network of nearly 10,000 miles. It is Britain’s most popular long distance cycle route and is based on minor roads, disused railway lines, off-road tracks and specially constructed cycle paths. The route (especially the purpose built cycle paths) is designed for everyone, from families to club riders and doesn’t favour either ‘roadies’ or ‘off-roaders’. Along the route where there are off-road sections, but you always have the option of taking the surfaced alternative. Although still a challenge with some seriously hard climbs – the highest point being over 2000 feet – the C2C is still completed every year by thousands of recreational cyclists as well as the more committed bikers.
My gallery 9
My updates 4
READY...STEADY...GO!!!!! After a long trip to the start of the route yesterday, barbequing in the rain and not much sleep last night, the team have left Whitehaven and have began the first leg of the 136 mile cycle! It's wet and grey but they are all smiles!
Today is the day! The group is gathering, the van is being loaded and the sun has got its hat on! The team will soon be on its way to Whitehaven in a mixture of excitement, apprehension and deep heat! Good luck to the team and thank you for your donations. Keep them coming!
1 week to go until we get on our bikes come rain or shine. Despite the British Summer, our spirits have not been dampened! Donations so far have reached £2363! Each donation matters, be it large or small. Massive thanks from Spectra, Jim and Myeloma UK.
The Team have been hard at work training for the impending event with dedication... and waterproofs! Preparations are well underway, with just 7 weeks until the pedal-off at Whitehaven. All donations are gratefully received & appreciated by us, Myeloma UK, and Jim. Thank you all
My charity
Myeloma UK
Charity Registration No. SC026116
Registered as a charity in 1997, Myeloma UK is the only organisation in the UK dealing exclusively with myeloma and its related disorders. Our broad and innovative range of services cover every aspect of myeloma, from information and support to improving standards of treatment and care through education, research, campaigning and raising awareness.
Donations 117
Donation by Anonymous on 07/07/12
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
Great Cause, good on for doing it and good luck in the rain! Jim, best wishes to you mate from me, Ali, Monty and Solomon.
Donation by Dan Todd on 07/07/12
£50.00
+ £12.50 Gift Aid
Best of luck Team Spectra. Awesome.
Donation by Tom D on 07/07/12
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
Good luck Jon, enjoy the view.
Donation by Adrian Maul on 07/07/12
£10.00
Good luck cycling and best wishes to Jim.
Donation by Dave Allen on 06/07/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Good luck to all.............am sure you will all enjoy post ride......keep the vassers handy ! best to all
Donation by Gavin Smillie on 06/07/12
£15.00
+ £3.75 Gift Aid
A worthy cause, all the best to the Spectra Team, good luck all.
Donation by UJ on 06/07/12
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
Good luck to all the Spectra team,and a big thank you for all the great support you are giving my wee brother . From Angela & Stuart Frater xx
Donation by angela frater on 05/07/12
£100.00
+ £25.00 Gift Aid
Fantastic effort guys - Always a little further
Donation by Des Inglis on 05/07/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Excellent effort for a great cause. Hope the weather is kind to you. Good luck all.
Donation by Chris Quinn on 05/07/12
£30.00
+ £7.50 Gift Aid
Good luck...great cause!!
Donation by Daz Collins on 05/07/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Have fun, and stay dry!!
Donation by Neil Cooper on 05/07/12
£20.00
Good luck!
Donation by lee claypole on 04/07/12
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
WETREP looks encouraging!!!! Will be fun.
Donation by Tim Langford on 04/07/12
£50.00
+ £12.50 Gift Aid
Good luck. It's a great route. Enjoy :-)
Donation by Simon Rhodes on 04/07/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Donation by Shaun Barry on 04/07/12
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
Good luck all... Sue & Mike (Jo's Mum and Dad)
Donation by Jo Davies on 03/07/12
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
Looking forward to being the support for you all Spectra.... I will be following with the supplies to include the deep heat!!! :)
Donation by Jo Davies on 03/07/12
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
Jim, Best Wishes John & Heather T and good luck to the peddlers
Donation by JOHN TERRINGTON on 01/07/12
£50.00
+ £12.50 Gift Aid
Lots of love to Jim, Allison, James and Harry. Thinking of you!! Best of luck with everyone completing the challenge..x..x
Donation by Susan Chambers on 21/06/12
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
Great Cause for a Sqn Legend . Appreciate what you are doing on behalf of all of us ex and serving Sqn members Keep the updates coming
Donation by Simon Strickland on 19/06/12
Good effort guys! Great charity and a fantastic challenge. Tip: invest in gel-tech saddles!
Donation by Dave Davis on 18/06/12
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
A worthy cause and quite a challenge for the riders, Jim - Keep hanging in there bro
Donation by Al Haines on 15/06/12
£50.00
+ £12.50 Gift Aid
Donation by Gaz Johnson on 15/06/12
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
Good luck and I hope you get good weather!!!
Donation by Chris Bradshaw on 15/06/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Donation summary
- * Online donations$5,601.02
- Offline donations$75.94
- Text donations$0.00
- Total raised$5,676.96
- Gift Aid$1,262.43
* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.
