Riding in memory and in tribute

Soggy but happy it is over after Ride London 2014, with team member Andy Stevens

Last year I pledged to ride each mile of Ride London in honour of a named individual.  I was delighted to receive 99 names and the last mile of the 100 was in recognition of all those in the future who will develop bowel cancer.  The best laid plans got hijacked by the remnants of Tropical Storm Bertha and the ride was cut down to "only" 86 miles, due to the exclusion of two hills.  This really meant something special to me and did keep me going on the day.  I did soon after ride the extra miles and have kept all the names and think of them as I have continued riding.

But, this year,  I want to pay tribute again as I not only do Ride London but as I also ride from London to Paris. I will begin by starting with those names generously provided last year.  Sadly this list now includes people whom we have since lost.  This list is below.

And there is one name I want to add now, before I ask you to send me others.  This is Gary Logue, our dear colleague and Beating Bowel Cancer nurse adviser, whom we lost last November.  He was an outstanding nurse and an inspiration and, although he did not die of bowel cancer, it is right he is remembered along with many of those whom he helped.

But, my riding this year is not "just" 100 miles in Ride London on 2nd August, but a total of 3,000 miles this year.  This includes 280 miles riding from London to Paris between 10 and 14 September. So, there is ample scope to remember many more people affected by bowel cancer.  You might be one of them, or it might be someone close to you who currently going through treatment, or who has survived bowel cancer.  Or it might be someone whom you have lost.  Please let me have the name.  I promise to ride a mile in their name.  Just email me: mark.flannagan@beatingbowelcancer.org.

You do not have to donate to have someone remembered in this way.  I would see it as an honour to receive a name.  But, if you do wish to donate you can so at the link, and just mention the name you want on my list when you make your donation.  Donate here https://www.justgiving.com/Mark-Flannagan5 or you can text to give by texting BUMS63 to 70070 and your donation amount (but don't forget to email a name separately).

Thank you

Mark

My names I will ride in tribute to:

Anne Carlin; Taryn “Smithers”; Gail Allen; Philip Willingham; Bill Bonfield; Beverly Jackson; John Hepworth; Effie Macdonald; Geraint Jones; Hannah Berry; Hazel Elkamouri; Alison Selfe; Alison Michell; Tony Levy; Jane Bardsley; Stewart Coxe; Susan Wilde; John Anton; Lisa Almond; Nia Jones; Ethel Randles; Ann Cole; Heather Spooner; Rose Sloper; Sally Tuxworth; Dafydd Farr-Jones; Susan Hill; Teresa Dealessi; Toni Millard; Mary Woolnough; Bill Luff; Olive Bennett; Melanie McGarry; All the Bum Bandits; Paul Bradbury; Matthew Stockdale; Elizabeth Fountain; Ian Fountain; Nick Busby; Lynda Leach; Steve Smith, “Smiffy”; Billy Randles; Len Miller; Pat Morton; Carmen; Ke’hley; Lucy Edwards; Margery Hunter; Tracey Bushell; Avril Williams; Stan Williams; Andy Higginson; Chris Garner; The mother and father in law of Liz Torr; Myra Beckwith; Patricia Johnston; Valerie Johnson; David Hogan; Maxine Gould; Andrea Barlow; Pat Gravell; Ruth Spencer; Jim Marks; Cheryl Marks; Tim Brennan; Bob Johnston; Francis P. Rooney; Kim Cooper; June Watkins; Johanna Wathan; Kathleen Cannon; Elisabeth Strong; Keith Wiggans; Carly Wilton; Genie Henley; Mark Barnard; For all those on the Forum; David Craton; Leo McGill; Peter Bainbridge; Ian Mashen; Cath Scurrah; Mark Robson; Derek Ieuan Lewis; Rae Heald; Irene Wood; Mrs Awobode; Maggie Ryan; Malcolm Hume; Sandra Stokes; Pauline Toft; Steve Hyde; Kath Maynard; Ben Ashworth; Kate Kunzer; John Dixon; Pete Andrews; John Barrett; Roger Band; Gary Logue

The challenge

Imagine that you are told one day that you have a cancer that isn't normally talked about - it's not polite to talk about things to do with bottoms and bowels.  Imagine the shock. Perhaps you know nothing about bowel cancer.  Perhaps you did, but heard that it is a killer - you had a relative or friend die of it and they were told that nothing can be done. So, you now have to deal with this, come to terms with having a "really bad" cancer and summon up your courage to find out what can be done, whether you will survive and, if so, what the treatments will do to your body.

I have been very quiet of late and haven't begged (or should that be bugged) people for their donations.  It's time to change that!  It's time to help me to help Beating Bowel Cancer to help all those affected by bowel cancer.

Raising money for a charity is a challenge.  We all know that asking our friends and family for yet another round of sponsorship is something that we feel awkward about.  Even I, as a cancer charity Chief Executive, sometimes feel it is difficult to ask for sponsorship for my cycle challenges.   But, let me talk about a real challenge.  The challenge of living with bowel cancer.

This challenge is one that someone faces every fifteen minutes.  Bowel cancer is incredibly common - shockingly so.  One in four of us has some connection to bowel cancer - probably someone in the family has had it, or has it now.  That is why Beating Bowel Cancer has a huge job to do.  Our vision is to beat bowel cancer by bringing people together.  We bring people together to raise awareness, so this common cancer is more commonly spoken about - breaking down the taboo to make it easier to get the message across about symptoms and treatments.  We bring people together to help everyone affected by bowel cancer - providing information, support, reassurance, and hope.

Our nurses are a visible example of our work.  They answer calls and emails, providing an individual, expert support to someone who needs it.  Our website and online Forum are also there, 24 hours a day, to provide information, but also to connect people with each other, breaking down the barriers that bowel cancer can bring, providing a source of hope and inspiration.

So, friends, I need your support.  I am well on the way to my goal of cycling 3,000 miles to raise funds for our vital work.  I would like your donations/sponsorship, whatever you want to call it to help the work of Beating Bowel Cancer.  My challenge is nothing like the challenge someone is forced to face up to every fifteen minutes.  My challenge involves turning my legs over some hundreds of miles and up some (very steep at times) hills.  But, by so doing, raising money, raising awareness, I want to do my bit as Chief Executive of Beating Bowel Cancer.  I would be grateful for your support.

Please be generous.  You can donate at https://www.justgiving.com/Mark-Flannagan5. 

Thank you so much