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.

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