John O’ Groats to Lands End 2012, 22nd – 30th June

Simon successfully completed 1,000 miles in 9 days from John O' Groats to Lands End. A resounding success and we would like to thank all our sponsors. For the full story on how the journey began please read "Simon will go it alone" - http://www.luton-dunstable.co.uk/News/Intrepid-Simon-will-go-it-alone-22062012.htm.

And for the full story on how the journey ended please see "Simon Completes bike challenge". http://www.luton-dunstable.co.uk/News/Simon-completes-bike-challenge-06072012.htm

For our sponsors that donated for those that did not take part in the Bike Ride there is a statement below from The Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Please be aware that there has been a delay in getting this information communicated you as after the event it was important to properly ascertain the correct legal guidance on this.

- If a sponsorship donation has been made either on line or on a paper sponsor form and the event does not take place the Charity has a legal obligation to offer a refund. Most people will refuse this and ask us to accept it as a donation. Any request for refunds should be made directly to the Charity by those wanting the refund. Anyone in this position should contact Jennifer Westmoreland (jwestmoreland@cftrust.org.uk) .

Whilst the administrators of this page are extremely, sincerely grateful for your financial support and indeed everyone that has sponsored however large or small and for your support it is completely up to those that would like a refund.

Thanks again,

Message from Simon on getting to Lands End: The job has been done! End to End 2012 a success! I can't believe it, firstly I want to say to my best mate Nick Munn thank you for this, I owe you big time and am proud of you and I'm sure your friends and family are too. I owe a huge thanks to my mum, Ron and the Holsers for that great finish line and the Holsers, my friends and family for being behind me the whole way and through training. Also, to everyone who has posted such supportive comments and getting us through. Against the odds we all achived something here by showing that despite a life threatening illness what can be done and against the odds that were stacked up against us on this and we raised alot of dosh on the way! This is all your success as much as it is mine and Nicks so pour yourselves a large one and raise a toast to yourselves. I can't even begin to top this so that's it for me for a good few years, just the smal matter of carrying the olympic torch next week as an encore then that'll be it for a while, good night and now I'm going to have a good few drinks! 

FRIDAY 15TH JUNE RAFFLE DRAW PRIZE WINNERS

Well done to the lucky winners below and thank you to everyone who entered into the raffle. Prizes will be sent out mid July.

Two return Monarch Airline flight tickets - Ruth Quine

£60 Cash - Joyce Taylor

Signed Luton Town Football Shirt - Michelle Purdy

£20 Luton Mall Voucher - Matthew Moore

Round of Golf for two people at Dunstable Downs Golf Club - Debbie Allen 

 

 

 

 

 

Amber Paving are supporting this group of cyclists raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Amber Paving is a driveway and paving specialist that provides services in and around the Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire area. Please visit their website by going to www.amberpaving.com.

In June 2012 a group wll be cycling from John o' Groats to Lands End. This is the whole length of Great Britain between two extremities; in the southwest and northeast. The traditional distance by road is 874 miles and takes most cyclists ten to fourteen days but we will be cycling 1,000 miles in 9 days.

 

The main purpose is to raise as much money as possible for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, one of the cyclists has Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis is one of the UK’s most common, life-threatening, inherited diseases.  As a result of a single defective gene, the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, become clogged with thick sticky mucus, resulting in chronic infections and inflammation in the lungs and difficulty digesting food.

 

Cystic Fibrosis Trust is the UK’s only national charity dealing with all aspects of Cystic Fibrosis.  It funds research to treat and cure Cystic Fibrosis and aims to ensure appropriate clinical care and support for people with Cystic Fibrosis. For more information please see www.cftrust.org.uk.

 

In addition to the ride in June, the following cyclists will also be taking part in other events in the lead up to the big ride:

 

Simon Stothard

 

Dorney Lake Dualatholon Part 1 (5km run/20km cycle/5km) -22nd January 2012

Dorney Lake Dualatholon Part 2 (5km run/20km cycle/5km) -26th February 2012

Berkhamsted Half Marathon - 4th March 2012

Silverstone Half Marathon - 11th March 2012

Reading Half Marathon - 1st April 2012

 

Simon is 29 and has ran 5 marathons, despite having the life-threatening condition Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Training has to fit around his condition; twice-daily physio sessions and nebulised medication alleviate the symptoms-sticky mucus on the lungs which make breathing difficult- but it’s his running and cycling which keeps him really fit.

 

Simon has supported the CF Trust before, climbing Ben Nevis twice, cycling from John O’Groats to Land’s End in 10 days, and from England to Germany.

 

Though Simon manages to contain the symptoms of his CF with vigorous training, some are not so lucky; each week across the UK, five babies are born with CF and three young people die.

 

Del Wood

 

Norwich Half Marathon - 27th November 2011

Dorney Lake Dualatholon Part 1 (5km run/20km cycle/5km) -22nd January 2012

Dorney Lake Dualatholon Part 2 (5km run/20km cycle/5km) -26th February 2012

Silverstone Half Marathon - 11th March 2012

 

Del is 33 and took up running in 2007 to get fit! Since then he has run the London Marathon twice and completed over 50 events including various 10ks and half marathons such as the Great Eastern Run and Great North Run.

 

As well as running he has also completed the 3 Peak Challenge twice: climbing Ben Nevis, Skarfel Pike and Snowdon in 24hr hours and most recently completed the 101k Cycle event Emitremmus cycling from Stevenage to Saffron Walden and back again.

 

Del has recently taken part in his first Triathlon and with the help of an elite coach is looking to take part in more during 2012. Throughout the events he has raised over £5,000 for charities such as British Heart Foundation, St John Ambulance, Mencap and most recently for Isobel Hospice.

 

Mark Bryce

 

London to Paris cycle – 19th July 2012

Mark is 53. Having failed the 3 Peaks challenge in 2010 decided to get fit! Over the following 12 months he exercised and trained specifically to try the 3 Peaks again. In 2011 he ran his first 5k, competed in the 5k Spartan Run then successfully completed the 3 Peaks all in under 2 weeks. Since then he has also competed in his first triathlon and the Emitremmus 101k cycle.

Now with an obsession for training and a particular passion for cycling Mark has many events pencilled in for 2012 in addition to the John O’Groats to Lands End. Amongst his calendar events, he is planning to take part in the London to Paris cycle, the Welsh 3000 trek, an Ultra marathon, and has a rigorous cycle training regime.

 

To date he has not been involved in fund raising but has been so inspired by Simon and others like him, that he is hoping to use his efforts to the benefit of others.

 

Dave Fawkner

 

Dave has been fortunate enough to have tackled so many past fitness events. In 2010 Dave attempted a channel swim in a relay team of just 2, in which they managed to cover 21 miles before the weather beat them.

 

However, this setback made Dave even more determined to conquer his next challenge, a week later he climbed the 3 peaks Since then, Dave has swam the length of lake Windemere (10.5 miles), climbed Kilimanjaro, cycled Paris to Coventry and completed several marathons and ultra marathons. The most extreme of these was a 100 mile loop of the Cotswolds last June.

 

In 2012 so far Dave has ran 4 ultra marathons and running 100 miles again, this time along the Thames from Richmond to Oxford.

 

Frank Graham

 

Frank has had one semi-professional cage fight and one professional cage fight Frank has also been doing kempo jutsu for 15 years and has fought in several club competitions. Frank loves to cycle and tries to do at least 20+ miles every day and 70 at weekends.

 

Nick Munn

 

Nick is 29 and will be providing support o the big ride in June by driving the vehicle, chuckig the riders drinks and food and shouting out abuse to keep them moving! Nick has been a best mate of Simon since they met at College in 2000. Although Nick has watched Simon run his marathons and been a good moral support this will be the first time he will be actually taking part and is looking forward to the challenge. A special thanks to Nick's wife Gemma for giving her support for Nick to come away for a couple of weeks leaving his wife and young child at home.

 

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