A Derbyshire man is gearing up for a gruelling cycling challenge to raise money for a cancer charity close to his family’s heart. Richard Allsop, from Glapwell near Chesterfield, will take on the coast to coast bike ride on 27 June in support of Macmillan Cancer Support, after his mother-in-law was diagnosed with terminal cancer last year.
The keen cyclist, who is a member of Bolsover District Cycling club, will ride 155 miles across the length of the country, starting at Seascale on the west coast of England and finishing at Whitby on the east coast. Richard (44), who works as bar manager at Sheffield’s Owlerton Greyhound Stadium, is hoping to complete the challenge in less than 15 hours, which includes four stops along the route for food and drink.
He said: “At the start of this year my wife, Rebecca, and I, along with my stepdaughter, Ruth, decided to each set ourselves a challenge to raise money for Macmillan, as we knew that they would provide invaluable help to my mother-in-law and our family.” Rebecca (43) and Ruth (17) have decided to take on the Great North Swim – a one mile open water swim in Lake Windermere in Cumbria – on June 14 to raise money for the charity.
Richard, however, will be joined on his challenge by nearly 30 other members of his cycling club, which he has been a member of for two years. Richard added: “Although I do a lot of cycling, it’s the first time I’ve done anything of this scale, so it’s definitely going to be a challenge. But I’ve been getting out on my bike as much as possible and having the Peak District on my doorstep has been a huge help! “But I’m really looking forward to it and hope to get round in one piece, raising money for Macmillan in the meantime.” Richard is now also busy rallying round family, friends and colleagues for support to raise as much money as possible for Macmillan, which helps people who are living with cancer and provides specialist health care, information and practical and emotional support for them and their families.
John Gilburn, Managing Director at Owlerton Greyhound Stadium, said: “Everyone at Owlerton would like to wish Richard the best of luck with his coast to coast bike ride. The charity is very close to his family’s heart and it’s fantastic to see their commitment to raising funds for such an important cause.”
To support Richard, Rebecca and Ruth in their fundraising efforts, visit www.justgiving.com/Richard-Becky-Ruth/
