My story

Cycle the Lights is an event designed to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and to raise much needed funds for the charity Ovarian Cancer Action. In March 2010, I'm going to circumnavigate mainland Britain on my bicycle, visiting every on-shore lighthouse on the way.

The 6000 mile journey will start in Dartmouth, South Devon, with the aptly named Start Point Lighthouse being the first port of call. I'll then continue in an anticlockwise direction up through Wales, Scotland and back into England.

I'm sure this is going to be the most challenging thing I've ever done and I'm really excited (and slightly nervous!) about the journey ahead. Ive decided to cycle for ovarian cancer action in the memory of my mum who passed away in June 2009 from ovarian cancer. I'm positive that when I'm out on the road and feeling tired, the thought that this charity ride will raise awareness and hopefully save lives will keep me focused and pedalling hard.

Heres a little more info about ovarian cancer~

·         Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women and each year around 6,800 women in the UK are diagnosed with the disease. Around two thirds of those diagnosed will die from the disease.

·         If found in the early stages, up to 90% of women will survive for more than five years. Unfortunately, most women in the UK are not diagnosed with ovarian cancer until it has already spread, making successful treatment difficult, and survival rates much lower.

·         There is currently no proven screening tool for ovarian cancer but a large-scale screening trial is underway and initial results are encouraging – especially in terms of the number of cases of ovarian cancer being detected early. However, there are several years to go before the trial is completed, and the researchers will need to assess survival rates to get a clearer idea of how effectively these screening methods translate into saving lives. Improving awareness of the common symptoms of ovarian cancer and developing a better understanding of how to treat it more effectively through investment in research, will play a vital role in ensuring women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer at an earlier stage and they receive the most effective treatment.

·         90% of ovarian cancers are not 'familial'. This means that most women will not have any family history of this cancer, so they may not be aware of symptoms and risk factors.

·         Awareness of the disease and its symptoms is low but there is growing evidence that suggests that greater awareness could save lives. In 2007, research commissioned by Ovarian Cancer Action on the awareness of ovarian cancer, demonstrated that only 16% of women mentioned the disease when asked to name cancers they were aware of, and 66% of women were unable to cite any of the symptoms of ovarian cancer.

·         Recent research has shown that most women do experience symptoms, particularly very frequent, persistent and sudden onset ones, and these can occur in the early stages of ovarian cancer.

·         The UK has poor survival rates, and is positioned seventh in the list of European Countries for high ovarian cancer incidence and mortality rates.

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So please dig deep and donate now.

My gallery 3

My Teams

My company

My charity

Ovarian Cancer Action

Ovarian Cancer Action

Charity Registration No. 1109743

Ovarian cancer is the biggest gynaecological killer in the UK claiming the life of 1 woman every 2 hours, as many women still do not know the symptoms which leads to late diagnoses. We are dedicated to driving up survival rates by funding world-class research into causes, treatment and prevention.

Donations 79

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Well done mate, outstanding effort!

Donation by Ross Warne on 11/03/11

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

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...FINALLY donated on behalf of Dave Edwards, Michael Nendick, Tom Craver, Matt Blaydon and me. Well done Simon! See you soon.

Donation by Alex Anderson on 30/12/10

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

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With love to you and all living with this dreadful cancer. Many thanks xxxxx xxx

Donation by Stephanie Snookes on 16/12/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Thank you to Sarah and all at the Cutting Room Chudleigh

Donation by Philip Curtis on 22/11/10

£102.00

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collected by: Margaret Sampson, Barry & Dawn Davis, Freda Kimmond, Liz Cox, Robert Thomas, Alice Brown and Alan Brunton. Thank you very much.

Donation by Philip Curtis on 14/09/10

£554.00

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Have just been reading about your fantastic cycle in The Dart magazine - well done

Donation by Katrina Wise on 02/09/10

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

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Brilliant Simon; such a great idea & so glad Phil came too.

Donation by david murray bruce on 14/08/10

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

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collected on route and in the shop. Thank you very much

Donation by Anonymous on 05/08/10

£430.00

Donation by Lindsey Naylon on 04/08/10

£30.00

+ £8.46 Gift Aid

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Monumental effort mate, followed you all the way - via my laptop that is! Sorry I didnt end up joining you for a stint. Here is my petrol money..

Donation by mike davidson on 15/07/10

£50.00

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Many congratulations on a great achievement and for such a worthy cause.

Donation by Geoffrey Newman on 12/07/10

£300.00

+ £84.62 Gift Aid

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One word ....AMAZING!!!!!!! Well done...and enjoy your rest :)))))

Donation by Kim Withycombe on 06/07/10

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

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Simon you have done your mum and women all over the world proud, you are an inspiration, well done.

Donation by amanda Jones on 05/07/10

£15.00

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Donation by Timothy Hayward on 03/07/10

£10.00

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Thank you so much for highlighting this awful disease and raising awareness. Good luck on your journey!!!

Donation by Lynsey Wyllie on 30/06/10

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Massive well done mate and for such a great cause!! xxx

Donation by Louise Franklin on 29/06/10

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What an inspirational thing to do. Respect, Simon! I wish you all the best for the last leg of the journey.

Donation by Fran Perry on 27/06/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Good show old chap!!! Hell of a trip!!!

Donation by James Freestone on 26/06/10

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

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Completely inspiring! Donna xxx

Donation by donna hannah on 26/06/10

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

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Good luck.

Donation by Chudleigh Bell Ringers on 23/06/10

£50.00

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Well done Simon! Melissa and Rob told us all about your challenge we think its brilliant - Rob good for you for joining in! xx

Donation by Lauren and Gary on 22/06/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Well done Simon and Rob! Melissa has kept us all up to date on your fantastic progress!

Donation by Sarah Burrows on 22/06/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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jah rastafari !!! we all giving you respect brother. see you soon forcefull leg!!! big kiss from the frenchy bakers familly.

Donation by julien,guylaine and taik on 15/06/10

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

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Amazing progress so far, really good updates on the blog! Good luck for the rest of the trip

Donation by Tim Sweet on 13/06/10

£15.00

+ £4.23 Gift Aid

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Hi Simon. Wow, excellent work and what an effort. All the best for the rest of the journey. Ben (Mike's Bro)

Donation by Ben Davidson on 10/06/10

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations£3,861.00
  • Offline donations£0.00
  • Text donations£0.00
  • Total raised£3,861.00
  • Gift Aid£599.36

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