Kevin's fundraiser for Alopecia UK
Kevin Norgrove is raising money for Alopecia UK
Story
Support My Lands End to John O’Groats Cycle for Alopecia UK
If you’ve found this page then you know me, but you may not know that I am the proud husband of Sue, who lives with alopecia. She lost all of her hair in a few short weeks in 2016. It was devastating for her and watching her navigate the challenges of hair loss has shown me just how deeply it impacts not only the individual but also the people around them. When she first lost her hair, I struggled to find the right words or actions to offer meaningful comfort during some of her toughest moments.
That’s where Alopecia UK came in. This incredible charity didn’t just support Sue in rediscovering her confidence and rebuilding her life it also helped me understand that everything we were feeling was normal. They provided a sense of belonging and hope when we needed it most.
One memory that stands out is when I joined Sue at our first Alopecia UK event at Alton Towers. At the start of the day, I saw a family with a teenager arrive. Try as they might, the family could not get the teen to relax, their hoodie was pulled tight over their face and their hands hidden in their sleeves - you could tell they didn’t want to be there. But, by the end of the day, that same teenager was laughing and chatting with others, the hood was down and their face lit up with a smile.
That’s the magic of Alopecia UK. They create spaces where people affected by alopecia can connect, feel understood, and rebuild their confidence and they’ve done exactly that for Sue. Today, I couldn’t be prouder to say that she’s not only my wife but also the leader of this incredible charity, continuing to support and inspire others on their journeys.
I am cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats to show my gratitude by raising money for Alopecia UK. Thanks to the incredible generosity of supporters so far I've reached my original target and then some - so I've decided to increase my fundraising total to £3,300, that's £3 per mile. If you can help me to reach my new target, I would be very grateful and it will help keep me going on the long ride ahead.
Every donation, big or small, will go towards supporting individuals and families affected by alopecia. Together, we can help more people find their smiles again.
I am doing this ride completely unsupported, which means I am carrying all of my equipment and doing the trip on a touring bike and not a super light racing bike. It's a bit like doing the drive in a Ford Fiesta instead of a Lamborghini. This means it is going to take me about 20 days.
I am starting on 16th May and plan to finish in early June.
You can see my route here.
Approximate dates are below:
- 15th,16th, 17th, 18th May - Lands end to Webbington - 212 miles
- 19th, 20th, 21st May - Webbington to Nottingham - 195 miles
- 22nd, 23rd, 24th May - Nottingham to Sunderland -186 miles
- 25th, 26th, 27th May - Sunderland to Edinburgh - 157 miles
- 28th, 29th, 30th May - Edinburgh to Aviemore - 138 miles
- 31st, 1st June - Aviemore to Embo - 87 miles
- 2nd, 3rd June - Embo to John o' Groats - 120 miles
Thank you so much for your support. It means the world to me, to Sue, and to everyone impacted by this condition.
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Alopecia UK is a small registered charity working hard to improve the lives of those affected by alopecia. The charity has aims of Support, Awareness and Research.
A diagnosis of alopecia can make you feel like your world has been turned upside down. It can impact on relationships, work and social life. Many can find it difficult to go out in public to begin with, or even look in a mirror. Alopecia UK is here to help people at this difficult time.
