Why bowel cancer?
In 1978, my father died of bowel cancer.
Why now?
Now, 30 years on, I am riding 3200 miles solo from Land's End to John O' Groats around the west coast of Britain to raise money to help fight the illness. I hope to help raise not only funds but also awareness of an illness that still affects too many lives.
Why the west coast?
The coast of Devon and Cornwall, Wales, the Lakes and the highlands of Scotland were some of my father's favourite places, and it seems a fitting way to remember him.
I'll be posting photographs from my trip on my website so you can see why these parts of the country were his favourites. Much will have changed in 30 years, but much more will have remained memorable and beautiful.
Why should you help?
If you knew my father, you'll want to sponsor me.
If you know someone else who has died from bowel cancer, you should sponsor me too. My ride is for them and for their family too.
If you don't know anyone who's been affected by bowel cancer, then you should sponsor me because you are clearly a lucky person, and I'd like some of your luck to come with me on my trip!
So, what's this trip going to be like?
Do you know, I haven't a clue!
Ok, I know it'll take me about 55 days, cycling 60-70 miles a day. I know I'll have a couple of rest days in there somewhere, so I can recharge my batteries and, let's face it, get my bum out of the saddle.
I know that, because I am doing it solo, most of the time I'll be on my own, and that will probably be the hardest part. If you know me, you'll know I like to talk to people, so I'll probably be bursting to talk to the first person I meet at the campsite or in any town I ride through. I'm hoping that at least some of them will be journalists, so I can spread my message and help raise even more money.
I know I'll be tired, emotional, rather sore and possibly covered in midge bites by the end, but I'll have seen some of the finest sights in our country. I'll keep a blog so that you can find out what it's like as soon as I do.
Your photographs are amazing, can I buy prints?
Why, thank you! Yes, I'll be selling prints from my trip, and this should also raise money for Beating Bowel Cancer. I'll post more details when I have them.
Raised:
91%
Raised so far: £2,922.00
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Better late than never! Donation by Adam Crawford on 09/02/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Well Done Nick, thats an amazing achievement. All the best! Donation by Dave Williamson on 15/10/08 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Well done!!! I don't know you but I'm dead proud of you!! Donation by Karen Adams on 12/10/08 |
£10.00 |
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Well done! Donation by Bob Elson on 29/09/08 |
£10.00 |
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great effort - well done Donation by Susan & Peter Kingdon on 01/09/08 |
£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid |
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A good cause. Well done. Donation by Cecil Scott on 01/09/08 |
£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid |
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Good to meet you at The Schoolhouse Restaurant, JO'G) Donation by Jim and Moira Watson on 01/09/08 |
£5.00 |
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Thanks to all those who entered! Donation by Guess the cyclist's weight competition on 01/09/08 |
£30.00 |
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Fantastic effort - well done! Donation by Linda Rawle on 01/09/08 |
£50.00 |
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Many congratulations on all the news! Donation by Katja on 26/08/08 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Hey mate, sorry I've only just donated. I knew you'd do it. Well done!! My turn next!! :o) Donation by Peter Wright on 25/08/08 |
£20.00 |
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Well done mate!! x Donation by Lisa Rivers on 22/08/08 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Now you've finished training, what are you doing for the main event?! Seriously though, well done, I Donation by Jon and Bev on 19/08/08 |
£101.00 + £28.49 Gift Aid |
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Awesome performance Donation by Andrew and Maggie on 14/08/08 |
£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid |
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No idea who you are but it's a good cause and I'm a friend of Mel. Donation by Simon Allen on 13/08/08 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Way farking Hey! you clever boy. Well done. Have a fiver, I'm skint, so it's your lot. Hope you've not died of sore legs quite yet. Donation by Steph Wardle on 11/08/08 |
£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid |
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your doing so well, heres to the last 5 dyas! Donation by nicky on 10/08/08 |
£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid |
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Nearly there - Well done Donation by Megan on 07/08/08 |
£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid |
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Awesome, fella. Going to be slapping your back for a long while to come... Donation by Andy Schuman on 05/08/08 |
£32.00 + £9.03 Gift Aid |
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10 quid for each cheek, and a fiver up front for the two boys ;-) Donation by RichB on 01/08/08 |
£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid |
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A cause close to my heart - all the best Donation by Tricia on 01/08/08 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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washingmachinepost again. Good luck! Donation by Jim Smith on 29/07/08 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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A fantastic effort. Would gladly make any number of cups of tea for such a noble adventurer! Donation by Rod and Mahes on 29/07/08 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Read about you on washingmachinepost. Good on you. Donation by Anonymous on 28/07/08 |
£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid |
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You're an inspiration! Hope the beautiful scenery is keeping your mind off the saddle sores and midges - well done. Donation by Ju and Stu on 28/07/08 |
£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid |
| * Total raised online: | £2,922.00 |
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| Offline donations: | £0.00 |
| Mobile donations: | £0.00 |
| Total Raised: | £2,922.00 |
| Gift Aid plus supplement: | £738.41 |
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