Raised: 23%
Target: £20,000.00
Raised so far: £4,573.63
Donate now

My story

 

A Message from Mark Hewitt

My brother in law Derek Latham as well as being a top bloke and a good mate was a talented amateur cyclist. He rode with a local (Stoke based) cycling club then called Lyme Wheelers. I didn't do cycle racing but went with him on cycling trips in my youth. Derek used to get to the top of these long (and obviously hard climbs) and then stand about with a camera to get the "racked in agony" shot.
Character building, is what I think now. You can probably guess what I was thinking then.    
During this period Derek was involved in the lunatic fringe end of the cycle racing world and still holds his club record for a 24 hrs endurance race Lyme Racing Club. The medal he got for this achievement is currently on display at a racing bike shop in Stoke (Swynertons) 
His pride and joy at the time was a racing bike made by a specialist bike firm Bob Jackson
Derek kept this bike in pristine condition and needless to say it was only brought out on nice days for training and for events.
The years ticked on and I left Stoke to join the Police returning to see my family a couple of times a year.
I recall Christmas 1983 I went for a drink in our local with Derek and noticed he didn't look too well. I thought nothing of it and was shocked to learn that he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer and had been rushed to hospital for an operation. He had the operation which was apparently successful and I recall going to see him and he was sitting up and eating.          
The cancer came back with a vengance, killing him six weeks later. 
I was devastated.
Not only had my sister, Vilma lost a devoted husband and father to their two young daughters (Katie and Kerry) but I had lost a true friend.
After Derek's death in early 1984 Vilma kept the bike as he had left it.
It was only last year that I decided I was far enough away from this experience to set in motion a long held ambition to ride the Lands End to John o Groats run on Derek's bike as an homage and to do a bit of good by raising a few quid for charity. I think he'd have found the whole thing hilarious.
I mentioned this scheme in passing one day to Bill Durrant a fellow detective and cyclist who said he wanted to do the run and nominated the Sobell House cancer hospice who had cared magnificently for his own father who sadly also died of cancer.   
I duly took the bike by train to London and got it re-furbished in readiness for the ride.
The Arresting Cancer Tour will therfore see two Scotland Yard detectives attempting an unsupported ride between Lands End and John o Groats starting on 12th June (Bill birthday) finishing on 6th July (my birthday).

A big thank you to Western Union and others who sponsored us along the way Donation by William Durrant 09/09/09  

£2,086.63

well done Bill and Mark for their fantastic achievement. It cost Russell and Karen a lot of money for the sudacrem, it is just how generous we are! Donation by Russell and Karen 07/08/09  

£295.00 + £83.21 Gift Aid

Donation by Anonymous 05/08/09  

£215.00 + £60.64 Gift Aid

Well done both of you, hope you're not too saddle sore :) Donation by Toni Harrison 13/07/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

It's good to know that my cousin Derek is being remembered in such an excellent way Donation by Beatrice Latham 07/07/09  

Well done Bill Mark and Maverick. See you in the Black Horse soon. Donation by Paul Conybear 06/07/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Well done Boys. Nunc est bibendum! Donation by Maverick 06/07/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Nice to chat to Mark in Edinburgh yesterday, best of luck with the rest of your trip! Donation by Lisa-Marie Ferla 29/06/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

On your bike(s)... Donation by Emily Hewitt 28/06/09  

£20.00

Enjoy sunny Scotland! Don't let the bugs bite... Donation by Jacqui Hewitt 28/06/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Well Bill, this was just a little extra I had floating about so thought i would donate it, there is a story behind this!!!! Donation by Karen and Russell 27/06/09  

£26.00 + £7.33 Gift Aid

This should cover the ass cream you'll need Donation by Doug 19/06/09  

£50.00

Keep it going doing well so far. Enjoying your twitter moments. Donation by Jon Hill 19/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Wishing you both the very best of luck. x Donation by Dana 16/06/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

What a road trip - look forward to hearing the stories. Donation by Andy Harris 15/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Can't wait to see you in the Highlands XX Donation by Sam & Paul 14/06/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good Luck Donation by Clive Mellish 13/06/09  

£10.50 + £2.96 Gift Aid

A penny a mile. Plus I've allowed for 14 miles worth of detours to pubs to keep your good selves hydrated. Hope you're not too saddle sore. Donation by Alison Mellish 13/06/09  

£10.50 + £2.96 Gift Aid

Good Luck!!! See you on 17th Donation by Elena & Pete 13/06/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

love ya !Go Chucky Go !! Donation by Terry & Deb Scarrott 12/06/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Bill, don't drink and smoke too much and you'll be fine. Donation by Jim Durrant 12/06/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Good luck! Donation by George & Sheila Stables 09/06/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Mark, this is a hell of a thing you're taking on - well done. Good luck to you and Bill. All the very best of luck and take good care. Donation by Gary Silver 08/06/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Good luck gents, I'm sure you will have a great time along the way Donation by John Fahhy 08/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck... It'll be an amazing journey ! Donation by Pip Thornton 07/06/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck :) xxxxx Donation by Amber Hewitt and Daniel Crowley 06/06/09  

£30.00

Someone had to say it " Get on your bike and ride" Wish you both well on your journey Donation by Doug Ferns 04/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Edwin Buckett 29/05/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Very best of luck Bill and friends Donation by John Mackintosh 19/05/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Thanks to Western Union/Fexco staff for attending the charity function Donation by Bill Durrant 16/05/09  

£40.00
Donate now
 
* Total raised online: £4,573.63
  Offline donations: £0.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £491.33

* Charities pay a small fee for our service.
Find out how much it is and what we do for it.