1 April 2010
Northants man puts his friend in the saddle for The Prostate Cancer Charity
A Moulton business man who peddled to the top of the fundraising league for The Prostate Cancer Charity's cycling event will donate the bike he has won to his best friend recently treated for the disease.
Chief Executive of Dr Martens, David Suddens, took part in The Prostate Cancer Charity's Tour Ride, in Stoke-on-Trent, in September 2009, and raised £6,000. Saddleback have donated a Felt bike to The Prostate Cancer Charity, which they will be awarding to David for his fundraising efforts.
David was due to ride a ten day challenge in Greece, alongside cycling buddy Charles Thompson. Charles discovered that he had prostate cancer one month before the event but decided to ride nonetheless and be as physically fit as possible for his operation in early August.
Determined to show his support for Charles and for the Charity, David entered a team of friends into The Prostate Cancer Charity's Stoke Tour Ride in September. Charles had been successfully treated for the disease but was not recovered in time to join the Tour Ride himself. After years of being teased about his archaic bike, David will be presenting his friend with the brand new wheels, from Saddleback. They will now take on this year's sportive together.
David, 63, said: "I am very surprised and honored to be presented with my bike. We have been teasing Charles for ten years about the state of his and I am really happy to be giving him a modern, new one. It was a shock when Charles was diagnosed with prostate cancer and it is a relief now that he has had the all clear. Thinking about my friend and what he was going through gave me that extra energy to take on some of those steep hills. I would encourage all keen cyclists to join Charles and I in getting on their bikes and taking on this challenge. Not only are these wonderful sportive events which test you to the limit with every pedal but people will also be raising awareness of the most common cancer in men in the UK."
The Charity is staging three cycling events across the UK, in partnership with The Tour of Britain, as part of its Unite ByCycling initiative. It is urging people to dust off their bikes to help raise awareness and funds to fight the disease which kills one man every hour in the UK.
The Prostate Cancer Charity's Head of Community Fundraising, Claire Walsh, said: "All of our riders did a brilliant job last year and a large number raised funds for us. David put in an exceptional effort to support the Charity and we felt that he deserved a special reward for all of his hard work. As Saddleback so kindly provided us with a Felt bike we felt that it was only right to award it to David; our top fundraiser. It is lovely to hear that David will be giving the bike to Charles, who has been personally touched by prostate cancer - it really shows the spirit of Unite ByCycling.
"There are still spaces available for this year’s Tour Rides. We are encouraging everyone to take on this great challenge. Whether you are a keen sportive rider or have not ridden a bike for years - there is a ride to suit everyone. Every participant will be raising valuable funds and awareness for The Prostate Cancer Charity, to help improve the experience of the 35,000 men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in the UK. Our message is clear, unite by cycling and help us to raise funds and awareness. It would be great to see as many people as possible across Northants sign up to take part. "
Andy Wigmore - Director of Saddleback Ltd said, "The Prostate Cancer Charity is an incredibly worthy cause that we are proud to support." "We were very pleased to work alongside the Prostate Cancer Charity at the inaugural Tour Ride in September and throughout the Tour of Britain, we look forward to it again this year and beyond."
Riders will be given the unique opportunity to follow in the tracks of the pro riders and take on one of three legs of The Tour of Britain, Britain’s premier cycling road race, in Stoke-on-Trent, the scenic South West or London. People can choose from three distances, whether they wish to measure themselves against the pros and take on the full 145km route, a challenge ride of 70km, or a family event, with a distance of 20km.
To find out more and sign up to one of The Prostate Cancer Charity's Tour Rides, visit www.tourride.co.uk.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
For further information contact: Vivienne Francis, Nikki Nagler or Claire Blackburn on 0208 222 7136/7670/7687. Out of hours contact: 0798 432 5001. Email: Vivienne.Francis@prostate-cancer.org.uk or Nicola.Nagler@prostate-cancer.org.uk or Claire.Blackburn@prostate-cancer.org.uk
THE PROSTATE CANCER CHARITY TOUR RIDES: Fact Box
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* In a brand new event for 2010, cyclists will be able to tackle a tough route which traverses the scenic South West, travelling 168km from Minehead to the South Devon coast or covering part of the route over distances of 75km and 15km, on Sunday 5 September. *Stoke-on-Trent, which saw 1,300 riders participate in the inaugural Tour Ride last year including British Road Race Champion Kristian House, will again play host to cyclists, offering a 145km route which starts and finishes in Stoke-on-Trent, as well as 70km and 20km events, on Sunday 26 September. The 20km course has been designed with families in mind and is a circular course beginning and ending in Stoke-on-Trent. The route follows carefully selected quiet roads and tow paths which are well signed, marshalled and with a picturesque well-stocked feed station on route. * There will also be an event on the London stage of The Tour of Britain, which will take cyclists on a route past some of the most iconic landmarks in the capital, on Saturday 18 September, prior to the final stage of The Tour of Britain. |
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK. Every year in the UK 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. One man dies every hour of prostate cancer in the UK.
African Caribbean men are three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men.
The Prostate Cancer Charity is striving for a world where lives are no longer limited by prostate cancer. The Charity is fighting prostate cancer on every front - through research, support, information and campaigning.
If you have any queries about prostate cancer, call The Prostate Cancer Charity's confidential Helpline 0800 074 8383 which is staffed by specialist nurses and open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and Wednesdays from 7 - 9pm or visit www.prostate-cancer.org.uk