A group of Chesterfield medics got in the saddle for an epic
cycling challenge on Sunday in support of The Prostate Cancer
Charity.
Work colleagues Nicky James, a Nurse Consultant & Lead
Cancer Nurse, Consultant Urologist Mr Mike James and Dr Roger
Start, a Consultant Pathologist, who are all based at The
Chesterfield Royal Hospital raised more than £1,000, largely due to
the support of patients and members of the local support group,
after taking on the gruelling 80km Tour Ride in Stoke-on-Trent,
which offered people the unique opportunity to follow in the tracks
of the professional cyclists and ride an actual stage of The Tour
of Britain.
The group, who all work with men affected by prostate cancer,
joined 1,200 cyclists who were taking part in a bid to raise funds
for the Charity, as well as awareness of the disease, which is the
most common cancer in men in the UK.
Nicky James said "It was great to have a goal to aim for.
Dr Roger Start is a very experienced cyclist. Mike and I are
not! However, thanks to Roger's perfect pace setting, his
words of encouragement and his jelly babies, we completed our
training and thoroughly enjoyed the ride. It was so brilliantly
well organised and we really look forward to doing the same next
year (although perhaps a little faster!!)."
Katie Robbins, Tour of Britain Project Manager at The Prostate
Cancer Charity, said: "It was fantastic to see so many people
taking to their bikes to raise funds for such an important cause.
We are extremely pleased to bring the Tour Ride back to
Stoke-on-Trent for the third year in a row and the local people
continue to really embrace the event with enthusiasm.
"I would like to say a huge thank you to Nicky, Mike and Roger,
and all the riders that took part on Sunday, as well as friends and
family that came down to cheer everyone on at the startline. The
rides were a big challenge but the event was a huge success and we
would like to congratulate all of our fantastic riders who took
part and thank them for all of their hard work and
determination."
Prior to Sunday's event, there had been four previous Tour Rides
in East Anglia, Wales, Scotland and London; all designed the raise
awareness of prostate cancer and funds to support the Charity's
work.
For further information, please visit http://www.tourride.co.uk/