As you may know, my grandad (Ginger) died last year. Sadly, in the last few years of his life, he had been living with Alzheimer’s disease, sight loss and finally cancer. My grandma did an incredible job of looking after him and managed to keep him at home until his final days. This is when Hospice at Home stepped in. They could not have been more supportive to my grandparents, who both adored them. They put all his favourite tunes on, made him comfortable and understood his humor (or at least pretended to). 

My grandad loved fitness. He used to tell me that he’d lose a stone on match day and afterwards he felt like he could “jump owa the moon”. He was also loved his music which was something we shared. He’d happily sit and listen to tunes for hours. Mainly Frank Sinatra but we went through all sorts and he’d pretend to know the words. 

So yeah, I’m going to cycle further than I ever have before. One Kilometre for ever year of his life from his house to Silloth and back to Burgh. Just to put this into perspective, I’m currently doing teacher training and am not exactly at my fittest... According to my strava, I’m at my unfittest in years (help). It’s also incredibly hilly where I live so training alone will be challenging. I would love to say that cycling was somehow linked to my grandad but the only thing I know is that he stole my grandma’s bike when they started dating. He clearly charmed his way out of that one. 

I know it’s a difficult time for a lot of people so please donate whatever you can afford or just send me a tune that reminds you of him for my training. 

Finally please have a look at what my sister and cousins are doing! They’re on my fundraising team. 

Ta

Sophie