Raised: 104%
Target: £20,000.00
Raised so far: £20,834.00
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My story

 

There and Back 2008 - Disaster Strikes

I trained as hard as I could and was as prepared for this huge challenge as I could possibly be.  Sadly however fate has played a cruel hand.

Having stayed on target for the first 2 days by cycling a total of 263 miles an injury at the end of the second day found me sat in the emergency room of a Hereford Hospital. 

My right knee has been damaged and under strict medical instructions I am no longer able to ride. The Doctor at Hereford A&E reported the following after 2 X-Rays

• Medial Collateral Ligament damage
• Medial Meniscal Injury
• Damage to cartilage and fluid retention

Instead I have to return home, and spend at least the next 4 days with my leg elevated, see my doctor and take it from there.

What do I say……  I can only apologise to all of you who have been supporting me on this challenge, both from your pockets and from your infectious enthusiasm.  I’m so sorry to let you all down. 

It is too early to say where this leaves me.  Until I seek further medical advice I do not know when, or even if, I will be able to complete this challenge.  All I can hope at this moment in time is that one day I can keep my promise and cycle from one end of the Country and back again.

Friends in my village of Tarrant Monkton, who have already been so amazingly supportive, are even trying to think of a way that this challenge can still be done.  Can a group of them cycle instead of me, perhaps as a relay?  This is a truly fantastic offer and a show of support for me, which I am amazed by and truly thankful for.  However I came up with this challenge and I feel that I should be the one who completes it, but let’s see where the next few days takes us.

The tragedy is however not for me but for the Charity for whom I was trying to help, Poole Hospital Radiotherapy Department.  By failing to achieve what I set out to do they will not receive the monies that they so desperately need to help cancer patients in Dorset.  At this stage I have not been able to speak to any of my corporate sponsors to know if they will still be willing to donate any of their “promised” money to this worthwhile cause.  Any of you who have sent cash or cheques are obviously able to ask for your money to be returned.  As for those of you who sponsored me online I believe that this is considered as a donation and therefore not refundable as the money has been sent on a weekly basis to Poole Hospital Radiotherapy Department.  However I will obviously investigate all of this over the next few days.  Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss your individual situations, should you so wish.

To those of you who feel you are still happy to make your donation, a huge thank you.  Poole Hospital Radiotherapy Department needs our help, I am sorry that I have let both them and all of you down but hopefully we can still raise a significant amount of money for this totally worthwhile cause.


Robert Bird

Tel – 07796 127 789

Email – thereandback2008@aol.co.uk

There and Back 2008 - I NEED YOUR HELP!

Can you imagine cycling for 2000 miles in 14 days……  That’s 10 hours a day in a saddle, non stop, regardless of weather……… to cover 150 miles a day, little sleep then off again, every day for 14 days…….

But this is nothing compared to sitting in a hospital bed hoping, praying that the doctors can cure you of the cancer that is slowly eating you away……….

Why am I doing this?
Firstly, I am not a cyclist.  I wouldn’t even say that cycling is a hobby of mine.  What I would say is that I like a challenge.  This is a huge challenge but for a totally worthwhile cause.  All monies raised from this event will be going directly to the Radiotherapy Department at Poole Hospital. 

Cancer tragically touches the lives of so many.  Very few people in the world today have not been affected by this horrendous disease either personally or by a family member, friend, neighbour or colleague.  As treatment continues to be developed and improved and more advanced equipment can be purchased the more lives can be saved.

I have been fortunate not to have experienced cancer first hand.  I have however witnessed the devastation this disease has.  Not only to the person who tragically has the disease, but the everlasting effect this has on the family and friends who helplessly have to standby and watch on the sidelines.

My brother in law, Mike Wheeler, tragically died in 2004 from a brain tumour, he was 55.  Mike was a very lively, active, loving and caring person, a wonderful husband, father, friend & boss.  He ran a large fabrication business, enjoyed his “boy’s toys” such as his Sunseeker boat, R1 Yamaha and BMW’s and generally lived life to the full.  It started with some headaches and from the eventual diagnosis of a very large, inoperable tumour in the centre of the brain he went down hill rapidly.  Within 5 months from diagnosis Mike had died.

Mike’s wife Karen is herself a survivor of cancer.  Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system) when she was 18 she was given 6 months to live.  Thanks to radiation and chemotherapy she survived but was later diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  Again treatment saved her and last year we helped her celebrate her 50th birthday albeit without her beloved husband Mike by her side.


18 months ago Terry Ellis, the landlord of Mike’s favourite pub The Holme Bush Inn in Corfe Mullen, Dorset was struck down with cancer.  I am glad to say he is now in his first year of remission and things are looking brighter. Karen, Mike and Terry were all treated at the Poole Hospital Radiotherapy Department.  In fact nearly all Cancer sufferers in Dorset attend the Poole Hospital Radiotherapy Department as this is the main cancer centre in our area.

The Holme Bush and Mike’s family got together and decided to embark on 1 year of fund raising for Poole Hospital Radiotherapy Department. The first event was a weekend of family activities at the pub.  For once the weather behaved and amazingly over £6,000 was raised. Events have been carrying on throughout the year and will end with a “fund raising celebration” on the 27th July 2008, which would have been the eve of Mike’s 60th Birthday.

So as my contribution I have decided to do this cycle ride. My wife and sister in law will stay at home supporting me behind the scenes and my best man will travel alongside me in a support vehicle.  My aim is to cover the 2000 miles in 14 days.  My goal is to raise at least £20,000 from this challenge.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Radiotherapy Department at Poole Hospital  will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.

Robert Bird

www.thereandback2008.co.uk

thereandback2008@aol.co.uk

better late than never- let us know if you organise any other events for sponsorship. Our thoughts are with you for a speedy recovery Donation by phil, sarah &emily smale 03/06/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

A little bit more to help you reach your target!! We are all extremely proud of you. Richard & Therese Walsh and Katherine, David, Bethany and Eva x Donation by Katherine & David Welstead 25/05/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

We're so proud of you, you gave 110% to this challenge and your goal of raising money in memory of Mike has been achieved, now look after you please! Donation by Robin Hawkins Engineering Ltd - Karen Wheeler 24/05/08  

£2,000.00

I know you feel bad, but the fact is you have done a wonderful thing and rasied lots of money for a great cause! Donation by Nas Amir-Ahmadi 22/05/08  

£100.00

Cider Rules, well done Donation by Andrew and Catherine 17/05/08  

£184.00 + £51.90 Gift Aid

Well done already and good luck for the rest of the journey. Donation by Jayne & Darren Harris 14/05/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Read article Bournemouth Echo. WELL DONE for all your effort it will make a differrence to so many.YOUR INSPIRATIONAL Donation by sarah & keith holbert 13/05/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Late as always! Really sorry to hear about you knee, but we know you would have made it anyway, so here goes! Donation by Bobby & Sanaz Amir-Ahmadi 12/05/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Just checked the site and we're so excited for you getting so far already! Keep positive, there's lo Donation by Allen Creative 12/05/08  

£500.00

Keep going hope it cools down a little! good luck.......... Donation by Heidi & Des Hulbert 11/05/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Day 2 - Hot enough? Donation by Mike & Karolyn 11/05/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Day 1 - The hardest part! Donation by Mike & Karolyn 11/05/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good Luck Robert!!!!! Donation by michelle donnelly-gwynn 10/05/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Tracker shows you're doing great on your first day Robert, Save some energy for that bottle of Red Wine waiting just for you at home! All the best. Donation by Howard 10/05/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Go Rob go, you are awesome! Donation by Jon Huxley 09/05/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best of luck Donation by Emilie & Nick 09/05/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Hope you have shaved your legs Good Luck Matey!!!! Donation by Roger & Libby 08/05/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good Luck Robert....will keep an eye out for when you are passing Bristol! x Donation by kay thompson 08/05/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck and don't forget the fluids. Donation by PHIL 08/05/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good Luck Donation by Lou Dunne 07/05/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

sue lynn's budding chef grandsons!!good luck.x Donation by Tommy and Charlie Day!!! 06/05/08  

£20.00

Quiz Night in Tarrant Monkton! Thank You yet again to our village friends especially Mike & Karolyn as quiz masters and Susie & Lou as organisers! Donation by Robert Bird 03/05/08  

£115.00

Thanks to Windy and the boys for the "taxi fare". Hope you had a good night!! Donation by Robert Bird 27/04/08  

£30.00

A further donation thanks to the Duck Race - thanks again to Norman & Barbara Donation by Robert Bird 27/04/08  

£7.00

Duck Racing on the "Splash" at Tarrant Monkton! Thank you so much to Norman & Barbara for organising and hosting the event - great fun as well Donation by Robert & Nikki Bird 22/04/08  

£318.00

Wishing you well. Great cause. Donation by Gary Pritchard 20/04/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Tons of special heartfelt thanks to "Blowi-n Free" Graham, Tony, Tim, Nicky, Tim and my special brother-in-law Andy. A wonderful surprise x Donation by Karen Wheeler 17/04/08  

£1,000.00

best eat a lot of steak , drink a lot of wine, when its all over! Donation by anonymous 14/04/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Hope you dont get saddle sore! Donation by John Egan 05/04/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Robert .Remember that famous quote from Lance! Donation by Hel's 01/04/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £6,688.00
  Offline donations: £14,146.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £620.79

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