Story
For Rob. For Hattie. For every family blindsided by grief.
A fit, vibrant 42-year-old dad, husband, all-round beautiful human, with a photographic memory for Vanilla Ice raps, Rob Collingwood, was taken by non-smoker’s lung cancer.
No warning. No time. Just devastation!
Rob left behind his wife, Hattie, and their two children, then only 5 and 7. What Hattie had to navigate was unbearable and heartbreaking, but she wasn’t alone. The Ruth Strauss Foundation was there, offering emotional and practical support when the world seemed to have fallen apart. Quite simply, they are quiet heroes, doing incredible work.
Our band of brothers knew we had to act. Too many of us know children too young to lose a parent, and families who need support through this loss.
So, we’re getting back on the bikes...
A decade ago, we cycled from John O’Groats to Land’s End to support another fab charity, Sue Ryder. Now, ten years older (and a lot creakier), we’re taking on a new challenge: coast-to-coast-to-coast
On day 1: we will ride from Blyth on the east coast of England to Whitehaven on the westcoast.
On day 2: we return to where we started.
400km. Hills. Sweat. Tears. Memories. All of it.
Some of us haven't owned a bike for years.
Training has been, well, patchy.
We'll get there, make no mistake, it a beast of a ride.
Yes, we’re riding for Rob – the big, hilarious, fiercely loving South African (Hattie’s words, and we stand by them).
And yes, we’re riding for every family gripped by grief.
For every parent trying to stay strong for their kids.
For every person who needs someone to walk beside them when the worst happens.
PLEASE DONATE what ever you can spare, we’d be humbled to take it - big or small - it all adds up.
This is for Rob.
This is for love.
This is for life after loss.
All our love and thanks...
Michael Stow, John Jones, Pete Thomond, Peter Osborne, Matt Osborne, John Osborne, James Cranfield, Jonny Hyland & Paul Whatnell
For those interested in our route: