Our amazing cyclists complete the 2500 Furlongs challenge
Our amazing cyclists complete the 2500 Furlongs challenge
On the evening of Tuesday 17th September, our amazing cyclists on Hope Against Cancer’s 2,500 Furlongs Cycle Challenge returned to Leicester after their 340-mile trip around the north of England! Starting and finishing at Leicester Racecourse, the route took in the Yorkshire Moors as cyclists passed through some of England’s most famous racecourses - Doncaster, York itself and Market Rasen. So far, the event has raised over an incredible £45,000!
The cycle challenge is our biennial fundraiser organised by the Hope team. Money raised from the challenge and the home-coming party will go towards funding the Hope Clinical Trials Facility and research into the prevention and treatment of cancer. For those of you who may not know, our Clinical Trials Facility offers some cancer patients the option for alternative treatments whilst being part of world-leading cancer research. Because of the donations, fundraising and support we receive, we are able to ensure that Leicester remains a centre of excellence in cancer research!
40 cyclists took on the Challenge over the four days - made up of people from the local community, Hope Through Business club members and even our Hope-funded researchers - including Dr Sam Khan and Chris Trethewey.
One of the most incredible participants is David Lillyman - who rode alongside his daughter Rebecca. In 2014, David was diagnosed with throat cancer at the age of 46. After months of treatment at the Hope Clinical Trials facility, he was remarkably given the all-clear. This was David’s second Challenge - he rode in the previous one back in 2017. What an amazing guy!
As mentioned, another incredible rider came in the form of Chris Trethewey. Like Dr Sam Khan, Chris is one of our Hope-funded researchers who recently swam the English Channel, raising over £10,000 in the process. Whilst Chris was only meant to be involved in the event in a support capacity, he ended up riding an impressive 115 miles on the last day of the Challenge.
Starting on Saturday 14th September, the Challenge’s send-off was attended by a number of Leicester’s key dignitaries and supporters. The Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mr Mike Kapur, gave a rousing speech to send the cyclists on their way. He was later joined by Leicester Rider’s Basketball team captain Andy Thompson and player Harrison Gamble who led the riders out of the city, both are also Hope ambassadors. A motorcycle escort, in full Hope regalia, also accompanied the cyclists to the city limits.
We cannot thank our brilliant sponsors enough - our two main sponsors - ISF Coatings and insurers Marsh and Co, and Vehicle Sponsors for 2019: Farmer and Carlisle Toyota and once again Sandicliffe Ford. The all-important cycle kit was sponsored by Knights Solicitors, with food and drinks sponsored by the Co-op, Blackfriars Bakery, Britvic, Walkers, University of Leicester, F&B Fruit and Veg, Sunrise Eggs, Morrisons - Melton Mowbray branch and Spice of India, Melton Mowbray. Thank you to you all!
Finally, the Home-Coming Party was sponsored by property and construction consultants Pick Everard. Duncan Green, of Pick Everard, who is a Hope trustee and took part in the 340-mile cycle challenge, has raised over £6,000 alone. What a brilliant achievement!
Nigel was as ever, immensely proud of every cyclist who took part; “The 2,500 Furlongs Cycle Challenge has proved to me once again just how inspirational the Leicestershire community is. It gives me great pleasure to tell you that so far, over £45,000 has been raised – and I’m overwhelmed by the generosity, hard work and commitment of everybody that took part both as cyclists and support volunteers”.
To find out more about how you can get involved in future Hope fundraising events, visit www.hopeagainstcancer.org.uk.
