Hampshire cancer charity calls for people to join ‘epic’ 100-mile cycle challenge

HAMPSHIRE-based PLANETS Cancer Charity is calling for people to step forward and sign up for its 100-mile cycle challenge to help raise £50,000.

The ‘Dawn to Dusk’ event, which has 50 participants including doctors, nurses, patients and supporters signed up so far, is open to all abilities and will take place on Saturday, 22 June.

Starting in Winchester and ending in East Huntspill, Somerset, the day will end with celebrations at a unique farm with lodges, glamping pods and yurts.

Members of the PLANETS medical team, including consultant interventional radiologist and co-founder of the charity Dr Brian Stedman and consultant hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeon Arjun Takhar will be taking part.

They will be joined by consultant medical oncologist Dr Judith Cave, consultant hepatobiliary and general surgeon Tom Armstrong, as well as consultant interventional radiologist Dr Sachin Modi. All the clinicians are based at University Hospital Southampton.

Waiting to greet participants at the finish line will be celebrity chef and PLANETS patron Lesley Waters, whose husband and son are also set to complete the challenge.

PLANETS helps patients with pancreatic, liver, colorectal, abdominal (oesophageal and gastric) and neuroendocrine cancer by funding patient support groups and other initiatives, innovative treatments and research.

Since 2011 the charity has raised more than £2 million and delivered achievements including a network of patient support groups across the south coast and the UK’s first mobile electron beam radiotherapy machine based at University Hospital Southampton.

PLANETS operations director Jo Green said:

“We are really looking forward to this epic challenge which is our first major cycling event since the charity completed its London to Paris ride in 2016, making in excess of £65,000 in the process.

“While it will be a huge achievement to travel the 100 miles, the ride isn’t just about the distance – it is about the impact we can make together while having a fun and exciting experience as we look to reach our £50,000 target.”

PLANETS chief executive Layla Stephen added:

“We are hoping we can get more people signed up to enjoy the event while also helping us raise vital funds for the charity, but we also want to urge people to sponsor a rider or just to simply help us spread the word. Any support people want to give will be appreciated.”

To find out more or sign up, please visit: https://planetscharity.org/event/dawn-to-dusk/ and to donate visit: www.justgiving.com/campaign/dawn2dusk.