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Gateshead Rugby Club to Italy!

On the 19th July 2014 thirteen cyclists, with the occasional guest, set of from Gateshead Rugby Club and cycled through England, France, Switzerland and finished at Iseo in Italy in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care. The team was;

Steve Pratt, Ian Kettle, Steve Golightly, Ken Boe, Kevin Clinton, Ron Young, Andy Blain, Rob White, Ali McConway, Marcus Helson, Chris Smith, Ian McDonald, Don Heelbeck.

The riders were given fantastic support by Martyn Dent ,  Chris Golightly and John Lennox (support van drivers) with  Steve Morris and Eddie Ridden as our motorbike outriders, making sure the cyclist didn't get lost.  Also fantastic support from Sarah Marshall and Lisa Dadley.

The arduous  journey took them through the UK, into France, down to Basel where the real fun started in the form of the Swiss and Italian Alps which provided a severe test to the intrepid group! The ride finished on the shores of Lake Iseo, Lombardy, Italy and meant 13 days in the saddle over 2 weeks.

The link to Macmillan has been inspired by the recent sad loss of 3 dearly loved ex-players through cancer.

Stu Marshall, ex Ist XV prop, lost his battle with cancer in 2010.  His family received compassionate care of the highest order from MacMillan Nurses who give vital support in their greatest hour of need.

The club also lost Mark Dadley and Kevin Clough. Both Mark and Kev played first team rugby at Gateshead with Stu and a few of the riders.  Mark was an adopted Geordie, making the move north from Coventry where he had another rugby family at Barkers Butts.

They are all missed.

Our initial target of £20,000 has been well passed, thank you everyone, we now aim to pass £30,0000.  All the money we raise will go to MacMillan Cancer Support.

Sponsorship and a number of events at the rugby club should get us there.

Please help us get there.

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 This is the first member of the Team! Don Heelbeck is the man behind the idea to hold The Great Italian Macmillan Cycle ride 2014 and has done most of the organising to date. Don was Stu's teacher at Lyndhurst School and has already organised and completed the Coast to Coast raising funds for Macmillan a couple of years ago in his memory. Don is a very keen cyclist, loves the Italian Lakes and is really excited about the challenge of cycling to see them again!

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 This is ANDY BLAIN a member of the team doing The Great Italian Macmillan Cycle ride 2014. A keen cyclist obviously!

When I asked Andy why he was taking part in the challenge Andy said - "The main motivation for me doing the bike ride is that I recently lost my mother, father and sister within the space of 18 months. They all died of cancer, and we are doing this ride to raise money for what is a fantastic cause". 

A fantastic member of the team, cycling in memory of his family.

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The recent "The Rising" gig at Gateshead Rugby Club raised over £1400 all of which goes to The Great Italian Cycle ride fund raising for Macmillan Cancer support.  Thank you to everyone who came along, donated raffle prizes and helped out on the night . A huge huge thanks to the band as well.  Sarah.

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Introducing cyclist Ron Young.

When asked why Ron was doing the bike ride in July, his response was as follows:-
"Invariably everyone knows someone these days that has either been or is affected by cancer, I am no different. I have had very good friends that have succumbed to various forms of cancer, as did my father-in-law and currently have an extremely close friend suffering from prostate cancer. I have seen up close and personal, the time, effort and dedication the individuals associated with Macmillan put into the care and wellbeing of their patients and also the comfort they bring not only to those suffering with or fighting to beat cancer but also to their families and friends. There are not many other causes as worthy as Macmillan."

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