Local supporter, Liz Adamson, recently cycled over 100 miles in four days to raise money for children’s cancer.

On 9th June one of our local supporters, Liz, cycled from St Bees all the way to Whitby in just four days whilst raising over £200! She said she had always wanted to complete a Coast To Coast bike ride but chose to donate the money raised to Candlelighters to recognise the fantastic work we do for families facing children’s cancer across Yorkshire.

Safe to say the relentless British weather really put her through her paces as it rained non-stop for two days, presenting a tough challenge. Needless to say, she powered through and completed the ride, a fantastic achievement.

We would just like to say a massive well done and thank you to Liz for taking on and completing the challenge of cycling from Coast To Coast, your donation is really going to help us support our families across Yorkshire.

Back in September, we told you all about the story of Jo Richardson and the preparations she was making for her cycling challenge in South East Asia in November.

Jo set herself the target of cycling from Vietnam to Cambodia (in intense heat and humidity!) to raise money for Candlelighters, after we supported her friend Eve throughout treatment.

We’re delighted to say that Jo completed the challenge and exceeded her target of £1000 by fundraising an amazing £2025!

Speaking of the challenge, Jo said:

“I had an absolutely amazing time in Vietnam and Cambodia and feel so very luck to have experienced such an adventure in such beautiful countries.  The bike ride itself was pretty tough, over difficult terrain intense heat and humidity, but I made it with a smile on my face (mostly!).

I met some wonderful friends along the way and found that people can be so generous…I set myself a target of raising £1000 for but I ended up with a total of £2025, some of which was from people who I have never even met, but they have heard about the fantastic job that Candlelighters do and so clearly felt that it was worth it!”

So thank you so much Jo, we’re ever so grateful when we see our supporters getting involved in such a variety of challenges to get behind us in the fight against children’s cancers. The £2025 will really make a difference in one of our initiatives, ranging from funding research and staff at Leeds Children’s Hospital, contributing vital medical equipment on the wards and providing family support at The Square .

On Sunday 11 September, James Metcalfe will be leading a team of 27 in the Great North Run in memory of his 4-year old son, Guy.

Guy was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2014, and sadly died on October 02 2015; he would have been 5 on the 14th of that month.

His dad, James, will be celebrating Guy’s life on Sunday by taking on a massive challenge: running the 13.1 miles half-marathon then cycling 90 miles home back to Malton, North Yorkshire. He will be joined by 2 friends for this double challenge, and another 24 will be completing the race as part of Team Guy.

James, interviewed by the Malton Gazette & Herald, said:

“It was first suggested back in January that we do it and everyone was up for it, although some have done more training than others. I started training in April and was doing really well until I had an Achilles tendon injury which was debilitating and I had to go for physio. I’ve just started running again and recently did 10 miles which felt alright so hopefully it will be okay on the day. I have always cycled a lot so I am confident about that.”

“I want to push myself and if I suffer pain for a few hours it is nothing to what Guy went through.”

“Tracey and I are back at work, but we are still struggling and it is really difficult to tell people how we really feel,” he said. “It is just about getting through each day while thinking about Guy. I love to talk about him – he was the proudest thing in my life.

“I have lost my best friend and life feels very very empty. Candlelighters have been, and are there for us. I would like to give a little something back.”

Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/J-metcalfe3 to sponsor James or Text GUYS93 £5 to 70070

Banner picture courtesy of Malton Gazette & Herald