There seem to have been a number of “Please Sponsor me” messages recently, so I have mixed feelings about asking you all to put your hands in your pockets again. However, I feel that the Teenage Cancer Trust is a charity that deserves your attention. I hope you can find a little spare to donate to them.
On Monday 11th July I will be riding the “Etape Du Tour”.
If you have not heard of it before, just think "cycling equivalent of the London Marathon": 10,000 people, stupid amounts of training and 30% of people will fail. The stage I'm riding is over the high mountain passes of the Col du Telegraphe ( 1,566m high), over the Col du Galibier ( 2,556 m) and then up the famous 21 hairpins up to Alpe D' Huez ( 1850m ). The pro’s ride it 11 days later as stage 19 of the Tour de France, it will take them about 3 hours. I will take double that. Just to put it into perspective, the smallest of these climbs is higher than Ben Nevis. This is going to hurt !
Etape Profile:
Profile
As you may know, I ride for Hinckley Cycle Racing Club. Don't be fooled into thinking this is going to help! Each Tuesday I race a 10 mile time-trial course. It is pretty much flat, except for a small lump in the middle, and I have problems getting over that. I think it is safe to say that hills are not my strong point. Finishing this is going to be a huge task for me. In preparation I have been training as hard as I can, and as a result I have lost about 2 stone in weight. This is nothing compared to what Angus is going through :
Our life has had its ups and downs over the last couple of years, with loved ones suffering with Cancer, Strokes, Heart problems and Leukaemia. All have had an affect on me and those around me, so picking a charity was a difficult decision. In the end, we decided that while seeing adults struggling was upsetting, it was the thought of children falling to Cancer that upset us most. While I’m lucky enough to have 2 great, healthy children, others are not so lucky. Angus is a family friend. He’s at the age where he should be going out with his mates, playing rugby, causing trouble, sneaking into pubs and planning his next night out. Instead, he is going for Chemo and is confined to a wheelchair as his bones are no longer strong enough to support his weight. He should be enjoying his childhood. Instead he has grown up fast in the face of this disease. Simply not fair.
The Teenage Cancer Trust has helped him along the way. They look after teenagers who fall into that gap between being treated as children and being adults. They are too old for Thomas the Tank Engine videos, and too young to be stuck with a room full of OAPs. Young people treated in a TCT ward have much better survival rates. They have helped Angus cope with thoughts of his future and have helped his Mum, Dad, Sister and extended family all cope with what is happening and what is likely to happen next. They deserve every penny that you can spare.
Thank you for your support.
Tim.
You can donate online at either :
Just Giving web site...
or
Teenage Cancer Trust Web Site...
or by phone:
Text “ETAP55” followed by an amount, to 70070
All of the money will go to the charity.
The donation will be taken from your mobile phone bill.
Eg:
ETAP55
£10
Or go “Old Skool” and press a grubby fiver into my hand next time we meet
Thanks again.
Tim.
Galibier
