A LOYAL team of friends have smashed their target for a charity cycle ride … before even turning a wheel.
They are making a nostalgic trip on Saturday March 21 to celebrate the memory of cancer sufferer Bill Watson
Bill’s son, James and friend Mike Ralph, 49, will head the team on their 120-mile trek from Newcastle to Edinburgh to coincide with the Scotland v Ireland Six Nations match at Murrayfield.
The team, many who have lost family or friends to cancer, set themselves a £5,000 target to raise funds for Macmillan and locally based Quiet Ones Charity, a self-financing group organised by secretary Christine Newton.
But their latest fundraiser – a Curryoke Night at The Three Crowns at Scouthead – raised another £1,000 and swelled their overall pot to more than £9,000.
And Richard Cotton, who owns Rentruck, a local hire company, has donated a support vehicle for the team to carry bikes and equipment.
James, 29, a joiner from Delph, said: “The response has been astonishing. Originally, we had hoped to reach £5,000 overall and now we are well on track to double that.
“The three fundraising events have all been equally successful and spread awareness of the important work these charities do, especially a The Quiet Ones who are widely.
“Now are all looking forward to the event and hope the weather isn’t too harsh on us!”
On the ride, the group will share memories of courageous Bill, who died last year after losing his second valiant battle against cancer.
James said: “Dad was born in Edinburgh and was a true Scot. However, Newcastle was the city closest to his heart because he lived there for many years during his younger days.
“Macmillan helped care for our loved ones during their period of ill health and my dad worked with The Quiet Ones.”
Bill’s first battle with cancer in 2011 led to him having a laryngectomy which meant he had to learn to talk though the use of a stoma.
He was back on his feet immediately and, with the help of his Macmillan speech therapist, Janice Lang, joined The Quiet Ones Charity.
The charity supports laryngectomy patients left without vocal chords and the ability to breathe through nose and mouth.
Bill helped the charity until he was diagnosed with two brain tumours and later cancer in his bones.
After two months in Oldham Royal Hospital he died in March last year – a week before his 61st birthday.
To contribute online visit: www.justgiving.com/Newcastletoedinburgh or text NCED53 followed by £1 2 3 4 5 or 10 to 70070.
For information on The Quiet Ones, contact secretary Christine Newton: 0161 683 5617.
You must be logged in to post a comment.