Radiographer gets on his bike for The Royal Marsden
2 April 2008
A fire damaged bike isn’t going to put Therapeutic Radiographer Richard Howard-Jones off cycling the length and breadth of the UK.
Richard’s bike became a fire casualty when falling debris from the hospital roof landed on it during January’s fire, smashing the front wheel.
But determined Richard has decided that instead of relegating the bike to the dustbin, he is going to have it repaired and then ride from Lands End to John O’Groats, raising money for the Cancer Campaign.
The plan is for the Phoenix Bicycle Tour to start on 28 September from Lands End.
Naming his bike Gerty, the green machine, especially for the trip, Richard is also hoping to promote the health benefits of cycling and inspire people to get on their bikes. He is being supported company Cycle Confident and its Director David Showell.
Over the next few months Richard will be in training for the challenge and said he was looking forward to it.
He said: “Two of my passions, The Royal Marsden Hospital and cycling were brought together by one event – the fire at the hospital in which my bike was badly damaged.
“The plan is to fix the bike just enough to ride it from Lands End to John O’Groats and raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign. For me this represents how quickly ‘business as usual’ was restored to the hospital after the fire and displays the commitment and ingenuity of all those involved.”
Richard’s adventures are also going to be covered by local paper the Kensington and Chelsea News who will be following him while he trains for the challenge and then during the cycle ride.
In Touch will keep staff posted of how Richard gets on with his training and the cycle tour over the coming months.
To sponsor Richard and help raise money for the Cancer campaign visit www.justgiving.com/richardhowardjones.