A message from form tutor (Matt Peel)

For me the journey began in January 2019, having joined Stepping Stones School I was given a tutor group to work with and within this was a young chap, dressed in blue chinos, red shirt and grey jumper that changed my opinion of what perseverance and bravery meant. 

Not too long into my time we were informed that Piers had a reoccurrence of a brain tumour and that he wasn't expected to be with us for very long.  He was a hardworking and well-liked by the staff, a real friend to his classmates, well-mannered and someone who loved his walking and art so to be told that his life would be cut short so suddenly was heart breaking.  

As a team we vowed to therefore make his time with us as enjoyable and fulfilling as we possibly could.  Portland Outdoor Activity Centre was the start of this.  Watching him kayak, rock climb and enjoy the Jurassic coast was a joy to behold.  He was receiving treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital and he was making the most everything he could.  Despite the ups and downs his treatment caused, Piers never complained or wanted to be treated differently and he certainly didn't want to miss time at school where he would cook, paint and enjoy his time with his friends.  

Piers left us on the 20th May nearly 2 years to the day of our original trip to Portland and we wanted to remember him by supporting a cause close to his and his family's heart by raising awareness of Brain Tumour Research.

The challenge is set for 2nd July, 2021 and is to ride from the Isle of Portland, where our journey began, to the Royal Marsden hospital in Sutton, a journey of 152 miles and a day of activities at Stepping Stones School to raise awareness for Brain tumour research.

For those who knew Piers, they will probably know his answer if we told him this idea....either that's not far enough or 'whatever' but it's certainly a start 🙂 

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36360706