The Mission: London to Paris for Cure Leukaemia

We are Neil, Tom, Gabi, and Adrian—collectively known as Tour de Carbs.

As a group of friends who share a love for good food and great company, we’ve decided to put our legs (and our appetite for carbs) to the ultimate test: cycling 300 miles from London to Paris.

We aren’t just riding for the challenge; we are riding because blood cancer has hit close to home. We’ve seen the devastating heartbreak it causes, but we’ve also seen the miracles that modern medicine can perform. We are going "All In" to fund the trials that turn hope into reality.

Neil's Story

In November 2023, my life changed overnight. After 3 marathons, a busy job and 3 small children I thought the pain in my chest was just heartburn; it was actually Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). What followed was a grueling six-month battle: 100 rounds of chemo, radiotherapy, and a life-saving stem cell transplant from an amazing donor in Germany. There are 40m people on the register and I had only 1 match. Without that match I would probably not be here.

Today, I am one of the lucky ones, with a stem cell match and a second chance at life. I’m here for my wife, Jenny, and three children because the science worked. After watching Jenny raise over £11,000 running the London Marathon last year, it’s time for me to give back, I’m getting in the saddle to prove that there is life after a diagnosis. I am riding to raise awareness, money and to get more people on the register so others have the same "second chance" I received.

Adrian's Story

I’m cycling 300 miles from London to Paris for two friends who faced Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL). In 2009, I ran the London 10k with Alex Milligan, an incredible person and fellow food lover. She documented her fight with wit and grit at Alexisallin.com, but tragically passed away in 2017. Alex’s "All In" spirit is the reason I’m finally reclaiming my fitness after years of life and arthritis getting in the way.

On the other side of this disease is Neil Morris. Diagnosed in 2023, Neil survived thanks to grueling treatment and a miracle stem cell transplant. Seeing the heartbreak of Alex’s loss contrasted with the "second chance" Neil now has with his wife, and their three kids, makes one thing clear: survival shouldn't be down to luck. I’m riding for Cure Leukaemia to fund the trials that give every patient the same opportunity to survive as Neil.

Tom’s Story

I’ve somehow been talked into signing up to cycle 300 miles from London to Paris. I was sold on the carbs, the wine, and the time with friends far more than the actual cycling. But there’s a genuine heartfelt reason for doing this.

In 2023, I found out that my good friend Neil had been diagnosed with ALL — acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. At first, I didn’t really grasp how serious it was. You hear the word “cancer” and you know it’s bad, but you don’t always understand the scale of the fight ahead. It quickly became clear that Neil was facing a long, uncertain road that would require a huge amount of luck and an even bigger helping hand from science.

Then, in August 2024, my mum, Cathy, was diagnosed with a different blood cancer — Myeloma. Two people I care about, hit by two different forms of the same awful disease within a couple of years of each other.

The good news — and the part I’m incredibly grateful for — is that both Neil and Mum have made amazing progress. They’ve had brilliant care, cutting‑edge treatment, and the kind of support that gives people a real chance.

And that’s why I’m doing this ride.

Cure Leukaemia funds the research, trials, and treatments that genuinely help patients stand a better chance of survival.

So yes, I’ll be pedalling my way to Paris — slowly, probably complaining, but definitely enjoying the French cuisine and vino — but not forgetting i’m doing it for something that means the world to me.

Gabi’s Story

I'm taking on 300 miles from London to Paris with a brilliant group of people. Not something I would have volunteered for on my own, if I'm honest.

Like everyone else on this ride, I've seen cancer turn life upside down for people close to me. One moment everything is normal, the next you're in a world of uncertainty.

It makes you realise how much depends on the researchers, clinicians, and everyone working behind the scenes to make recovery possible.

This is a real challenge for me. I'm still fairly new to cycling, and 300 miles is no small undertaking, but that's the whole point. It's supposed to be hard.

If pushing myself for a few days can help fund something that genuinely gives people a second chance, then every mile is worth it.

Why Cure Leukaemia?

The difference between these stories shouldn’t be down to luck. Cure Leukaemia funds the Trial Acceleration Programme (TAP), giving patients across the UK access to pioneer treatments. Your donations directly fund the specialist research nurses and clinical trials that bridge the gap between heartbreak and hope.