Support Pancreatic Cancer UK

Les Niewiara explains about his cycling fund raising campaign to support Pancreatic Cancer UK ...

"I will be undertaking a charity bike ride in July / August of this year, in which I and a core group of people will be cycling from London (Hammersmith) to Krakow in Poland - distance ~950 miles. I am doing it in aid of a charity, Pancreatic Cancer UK, with which I have become involved since my diagnosis from the condition in October 2003. I am looking to raise funds for research, and awareness of the need to improve the scandalous survival rates for those affected. Of the 7000 people who were diagnosed in the UK in the same year as me, less then 200 of us will be alive at the end of this year, one of the worst survival rate of any cancer, and one of the only ones where the survival rate has actually got worse over the last 50 years. One of the reasons for it's 'silence' is that there are just not enough survivors around to make a loud enough noise about this, and so in addition to the main bike ride that I am doing, I am looking to engage as many people as possible, and look to 'borrow' your voices to add to the campaign. This is where the 'Ride around the World' bit comes in.

Ride around the World, are a series of biking events that are linked to the core bike ride, and are taking place both nationally and internationally, and will involve people of all ages. These bike events will provide a focus for sponsorship to be raised, and the combined miles / kilometres will be added up so as to try and reach the combined target of 'Riding around the World'. So even if our youngest member in the club manages rides 1 km, then this is added to the target, and they will have helped to 'Ride around the World'. Full details are available on the Bike to the Future website.

My idea for Headstone Manor would be to try to organise a 'Ride around the World' event on Saturday June 28th, in which young people from the club and their friends / relatives (and managers / coaches) would complete as many laps of the park as possible. There would be a minimum fee for participation in the event (to be decided), and if anybody would want to collect additional sponsorship, then that would also be great. The combined miles / kms cycled would then be added to the overall target. The funds raised would be split between both the charity and Headstone Manor.

In addition, for those of you managers / coaches, as well as some of the older players, who would want something a little more challenging, and something to train towards, I would propose that we have a longer route (between 15 - 30 miles) that would be done on the road (depending on demand!).

In doing the above, there would be some refreshments available throughout the event, and I would be looking for maximum publicity for Headstone Manor along the lines of: promoting an alternative sport to football, supporting a charitable cause close to the heart (pancreas) of one of the members, and being an all round positive addition to the community life of Harrow.

I am more than happy to supply you with leaflets, letters to parents so please let me have feedback, and I can get the relevant information to you.

On a more general note, for those of you who are feeling even more adventurous, there are other ways in which you can get involved in the Bike to the Future - Ride around the World:

1. You can join me on one or more of the stages of the ride. The only English stage is from Harrow to Harwich on July 25th, but if you fancy a few days in mainland Europe, then check out the route on the website.
2. Some of you may have friends who are keen cyclists and who will be doing some cycle event, then I am more than happy for them to link it as a 'Ride around the World' event.
3. If people simply want to donate to the fundraising activities, then there is a 'Just Giving' page on the website.
4. If anybody knows companies which would want to become involved in the ride as a partner / sponsor, and cover some of the costs of the London - Krakow ride, then please put them in touch with me.
5. One piece of the jigsaw missing from my preparation is that I am looking for a campervan or caravan to use as part of the supporting entourage. I know people are very precious about these items, but if you know anywhere I could lay my hands on one, or indeed, somewhere I could hire one (at a reasonable rate), please let me know.

Finally, if anybody can think of anything else that would help in any other way, please let me know or phone me on 0777 083 5242. I am looking for maximum participation and collaboration - a real Headstone Manor team effort."

Thanks

Les Niewiara