fortunate ones to be declared cancer-free. But it’s not something that anyone can get over quickly and our lives are forever changed as a result. Since her all clear she has amazed me with her positive attitude to her experience and as a seasoned ultra runner she completed the hard moors 110 mile ultra only a year after her diagnosis raising around £1000 for Breast Cancer `Now. This has inspired me to fundraise for Macmillan and Cancer Research in previous years and now I’m happy to step up again with a great bunch of guys to do our bit for cancer research and men’s mental health, a cause that has supported some good friends of mine through some tough times. Together we can turn small contributions into something that could have a big effect on others wellbeing and their quality of life.”
Ashley Parkinson “Just over two years ago Becca’s uncle was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer at the age of 59, after a
short six-month battle he rapidly deteriorated and unfortunately he couldn’t fight any longer and we lost him, this took a massive hit on
both sides of our families and a huge loss, I always promised Becca and her family that I would do something like LEJOG in his memory and also to support the cancer research charity. Then back in October 2023, my mum fell ill for some time, and like most people at that age they don’t do the Drs, after persuading her to go get checked out she got the news we were all dreading... the C word. She was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer that was spreading rapidly and incurable. Told that she wouldn’t live to see another birthday was news any son didn’t want to hear, after receiving this news I knew I needed to act quickly on an idea to support her and that she could see this happen and make her proud. To date, she is stable but still battling with this dreadful disease and has undergone various long-winded chemotherapy sessions which is a killer in itself. She is 74 this year and battling on, I came up with the idea of LEJOG to Leigh last year and he just smiled and laughed but I could see in his eye that he was keen because like us all we have our own personal statements to do something to help to raise as much awareness more than anything that this disease can’t be taken lightly and is a threat to everyone. I also want to raise with the help of three great friends and riders in particular Leigh who has been a great friend for some time now and raise as much money as possible for cancer research, with the three of us all being from the same industry this is a great way to do this. Personally, this will be a huge challenge and experience for a hobby that has been taken back up over the last five years and one that our families can look back at and be proud to say we did this for a great cause.”
Gareth Turner “At some point in our lives, we are affected by cancer, I am no exception - my wife Justine is surviving Malignant Melanoma Skin - one
year on and cancer-free My Father-in-Law Arnie is undergoing treatment for Bladder Cancer both fighting to survive this disease. Cancer Research is pivotal in the search for treatments Although awareness and support around Mental Health is much more spoken of, I and many others have been closely affected by Mental Health and Suicide having recently lost my Twin Brother Graeme in October last year and 3 years ago my lifelong friend Ian (Ozzy) Andy Mans Club started as a local charity in my home town of Halifax and works tirelessly to support and raise awareness of Men’s Mental Health - they now have groups that meet every Monday evening around the country offering a safe space for men to talk openly and without judgement around their mental health understanding that #itsoktotalk When Leigh asked me to take part in this Epic Bike challenge it felt like destiny was calling to push ourselves beyond our limits and raise money for these two worthy causes.”
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