**** UPDATE****

 

I am completely devastated to report that I will no longer manage Ride the North 2013 because of an accident last weekend. While on a training ride, I was involved in a road traffic collision. I ended up with a smashed femur and knee and required a 6 hour operation to plate, pin, wire and reshape my left leg. It's been a really tough week but I know how lucky I am, it could have been so so much worse. I've been told it may take up to 6 months to walk again and that running may be impossible but I know it won't, I got up for the first time yesterday for physio and I am determined.

 

I can't thank everyone enough for all the support, encouragement, time, training, advice and insanely kind donations (mega wow!).

 

To everyone below who so kindly donated, I hope you're ok if the money still goes to Maggie's and I promise you I'll get back on that bike and be on the road for RTN 2014!

 

Kerry x

 

---

 

My dad (miracle man) has been through the toughest two years of his life! Indeed my whole family has, my mum especially. 

 

If I offered you a list of his recent medical misdemeanours, we'd be here a while, but we were floored in November 2012 when, after surviving heart surgery after we were told he might not, in the midst of homecoming celebrations, we found out he also had cancer. 

 

We cried.  He never. This was a mere bump in the road in his mind.

 

At my wedding two years before and in spirit at my sisters wedding that year, my dad's father of the bride speeches started with the words 'Love of the Heart'. He said that 'love of the heart' is a seriously special source of power, comfort, pride and commitment -making you capable of anything. For him, and now for us, there is nothing more important.

 

The last 9 months have been trying, emotional, and at times heart breaking. Dad has fought hard though, his strength unfathomable, and at times of little hope, I believe it was his love of the heart that kept him going.

 

His fight is by no means over but his positivity and determination keep us all in high spirits. I always knew the importance of a Maggie's Centre in Aberdeen, but no more than now.

 

So, I am saddling up and taking on Ride the North to raise money for Maggie's. Its a 166 mile cycle across the glorius Scottish Highlands at the end of August.

 

Probably worth giving you some perspective to my cycling experience - my bike has 3 gears and is decorated with flowers and a basket! That said, be assured I have invested in a 'proper' bike and will pack some pedal power to raise as much as I can for Maggie's.

 

Any sponsorship support is hugely appreciated. In the words of one of my team mates, we're really fast on the downhill so rest assured we'll complete this! 

 

Thanks for reading,

 

Kerry (daughter of a crazy irish man) 

 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.