An Islander in remission from lymphoma is embarking on an incredible 1,000-mile cycle challenge in aid of Wessex Cancer Trust.
David Cowley, from Ryde, and his friend Daniel Lashley, from Warsash, will be taking to their saddles next Monday (1st July) to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
33-year-old David decided to take on the challenge after receiving support from the charity when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in November 2017. He said:
“I knew there were lots of forms of cancer but didn’t know much about Lymphoma at all.
“The information packs provided to me at the beginning of my treatment by Wessex Cancer Trust made understanding things simple.
“All of the medical professionals I met with helped put my mind at ease. We have chosen to raise sponsorship for the Wessex Cancer Trust to help them in all the good work they do.”
So far, the pair have raised almost £1,500.
The cyclists expect the challenge will take around 10 days to complete, meaning they will have to cover around 100 miles each day. They will be staying in hotels and B&Bs along the way, with no support team, so they will be carrying their own kit, tools and spares in panniers attached to their bikes, making them extra heavy.
They will also be funding the trip themselves to ensure all money raised goes to the cause.
Wessex Cancer Trust’s Community Engagement Manager for the IW, Lorraine White, said:
“We are so grateful for David and Daniel’s incredible support and we wish them the very best of luck in what I’m sure will be an extremely gruelling challenge!
“It is our mission to provide practical and emotional support to those affected by cancer when they need it most and we’re always very thankful when people want to repay the favour by fundraising for us.”
You can donate to the pair’s fundraising page at www.wessexcancer.org.uk/Fundraisers/lejog and follow their progress at https://thisislifebehindbars.blogspot.com.
