Updated on 19/5/2012

BIKE4BEN2  (Broken Hearts Still Beating)

What another great day we had inspite of the adverse weather conditions.  Over 100 riders took part and braved the elements.  A big thank you to all of them and to the people that gave their time to help both on the day and in the planning.  Also those that provided the refreshments and equipment used on the day. You all know who you are and how valuable your support is to me.

BIKE4BEN2 has currently raised a fantastic £1949, with i am sure more to come.

I have had some feedback that Bens page is hard to locate on justgiving at times.  So it can now be accessed online via bike4ben.org.  You can also find photographs taken at BIKE4BEN2 posted on facebook pages by accessing bike4ben.org.  In the near future the bike4ben.org site will be used to publish details of our events and any updates to our activivities.

Brief updates will also be posted in the new updates section of this page.

Thank you all again for your on going support and enthusiasm in keeping Bens memory alive.

Updated on 17/1/2012

BIKE4BEN2  (Broken Hearts Still Beating)

25 or 40 Miles Sponsored Bike Ride - Sunday 22nd April 2012 - 10am

Please register your intention to participate here on line by donating an entry fee of £5.  This is a Health and Safety requirement to determine the anticipated number of riders.  Your entry fee is donated to the Lymphoma Research Trust.

Assemble at the Darrington Hotel, Old Great North Road, Darrington, West Yorkshire, WF8 3BL, allowing time to register for the 10am start.  Please do not park in the hotel car park unless you intend to dine there after the ride.  The route will be shown by black BIKE4BEN directional arrows for the 25 mile ride, with red BIKE4BEN directional arrows highlighting the additional 40 mile section.  Marshals will be on hand to assist.  Both routes finish at the Darrington Hotel.

I look forward to seeing you all on 22nd April and raising another £5000 in the name and memory of our  much missed Ben.

Kind Regards

Tony.

Updated on 26/11/2011

 A massive thank you to Dennis and Wayne of South Kirkby Miners Welfare (Cricket Club) and Pud Vaughan who did a tremendous job raising the substantial amount of £360.  They hosted a Northern Soul night on 18th November 2011.  All had a brilliant night and Dennis, Wayne and Pud are hoping to make this an annual event. 

Many thanks and hoping for the same success next time.

1. Remembered with a smile night summary.

2. BIKE4BEN2 - April 22nd 2012.

"Remembered with a Smile" Night took place at the George and Dragon Pub Whitley on Sunday 18th September 2011.  This was Sunset day one year on and was both to remember Ben and celebrate his life by participating in what he enjoyed.  The evening was a big success and enjoyed by all.  In total we raised £453.06 on the night for the Lymphoma Research Trust.

I would like to thank the following for their support and in particular for providing raffle prizes ;-

Janet at the George and Dragon, Des Beds Castleford, Asda, Snowzone Exscape, Howdens, 2s Company Hairdressers, Piccolinos Restaurant Leeds and Bens company Createable.

A big special thank you also to all of you who came along to remember Ben with a smile.  We will do something similar next year.

NEXT DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

BIKE4BEN2 will take place on Sunday 22nd April 2012.  Starting at 10am from the Darrington Hotel, Darrington, Pontefract like last years event.  This time in addition to the 25 mile route there will also be a 40 mile route. Please indicate your intention to participate by an initial donation to this site of £5.  I will be forwarding full details nearer the time along with sponsor forms to your email addresses.

Kindest Regards

Tony.

Thank you for taking the time to visit Bens JustGiving page supporting the Lymphoma Research Trust.

Ben tragically died on 19th September 2010 aged just 23 years old.  Ben was diagnosed with Burkitts Lymphoma, a very rare form of cancer and the most aggressive of all human cancers.  How this disease develops is unclear but it transforms immune cells into cancer cells.  Burkitts Lymphona affects only about 200 people a year in the United Kingdom and is mostly diagnosed in young adults.

Ben achieved alot in such a short life, including graduating in interactive media and running his own website design and printing business, Createable Solutions.  Sadly, Ben had just set up home with his girlfriend Annie and they were both embarking on the next chapter in their lives.   Ben lived his life to the full, made us all very happy, immensely proud and now makes us cry.

Ben was much loved and is sadly missed by everyone who knew him.  Ben leaves a big and unfillable void in our lives. 

It is important that Burkitts Lymphoma is thoroughly researched as little is known about the cause of the disease and it can turn a previously healthy person very unwell in just a matter of weeks. We intend to raise money in memory of Ben for this purpose.

The Ben Waller Memorial Fund 25 miles sponsored bike ride, (BIKE4BEN), takes place on 17th April 2011 at Darrington in West Yorkshire.  This is the first of our fund raising activities and more will follow.  For further details email ben@ben-waller.co.uk.

So please dig deep and donate now in memory of our Ben.

To quote Father Edward at Bens funeral, rustle not rattle please.

BIKE4BEN Sunday 17th April 2011

This ride has now taken place.  It was a wonderful way to remember Ben and i am sure that he was looking down and laughing at us all.  A total of 86 riders completed the route taking between 2 to 5 hours.  The weather was good and everyone had a great time.  A photograph of the start can be seen in Bens photos opposite.

My personal thanks go to all who were involved in BIKE4BEN.  Those who participated, who assisted on the day and who have sponsored or donated.  Together we achieved BIKE4BEN.  The target of raising £2,500 was passed by 6pm on Sunday 17th April.  So when all the sponsor money is collected i expect that we will have raised in excess of £7,000.

Offline donations received to date:

Anne Smith sponsor form £64.

Peter and Joan Waller  £25.

Brysieee and Margaret Smith £100

Jeremy and Carly proceeds from the Race night held at The Eagle in Castleford on 9th April £449.

Cheques received on BIKE4BEN day £85.

BIKE4BEN2 on the day registration fees and donations £265.

Cheque from British Gas Leeds Charity Fund £34.

Cheque from Anne Smith £30.