A father-of-three whose wife died just 36 hours after being diagnosed with leukaemia is setting off on a 1,600 km cycle ride to fund research into the disease that killed her.
Philippa Badger was just 42 when she died of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) on April 22 last year leaving three young children aged 12, 10 and six.
To mark the first anniversary of her death, Kettlesing resident James Badger and three friends will cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats in just eight days to raise money for Blood Cancer UK.
James, who only took up cycling a few years ago, wants to raise a total of £300,000 to fund a three-year research project into AML, which currently has only a 10 per cent survival rate.
James said:
“Through the work of Blood Cancer UK, survival rates for childhood leukaemia have improved from just 10 per cent in the 1960s and 70s to almost 85 per cent.
“The type of leukaemia that Philippa had, Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, has not had the same level of funding and research that childhood leukaemias have had, which is why it is so important for us to do this ride and fund this research project.
“Research can make a real difference and our aim is to improve survival rates for people diagnosed with AML. This is why we are doing our ride.”
Following a service at St James’ Church in Birstwith to mark the first anniversary of Philippa’s death, James and his friends, Richard Baldwin, Adam Ellis and Anthony Fraser, will drive down to Cornwall ready to start their epic eight-day cycle ride on Sunday, April 23.
Philippa Badger died within just 36 hours of being diagnosed with leukaemia, leaving behind her husband James and their three young children.
On each of the eight days, James will be cycling further than he has ever done before, having bought his first road bike in 2019 following the UCI World Cycling Championships in Harrogate.
The four friends will be on their bikes for between 10 and 12 hours at a time, every day for eight days, covering a daily distance of around 200km and climbing 2,000 metres each day.
They will be plunging into ice-baths at the end of each day of cycling, ready to be back on their bikes the following morning.
James Badger (second from left) and his friends, Richard Baldwin, Adam Ellis and Anthony Fraser, will take eight days to cycle the 1,600km from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
James said:
“It is going to be tough, a real challenge, but I wanted to do something significant enough that would really make a difference.
“A fully-funded research project into Acute Myeloid Leukaemia will cost £300,000 and we hope this 1,600 km cycle ride will raise a big chunk of money towards that target.”
Pupils, staff and parents at Belmont Grosvenor School (BGS) in Birstwith, where James and Philippa’s youngest child Thomas is a pupil, have thrown their weight behind his fundraising efforts.
So far, a fundraising ball and Colour Run at BGS has raised around £20,000, and other events are planned to help James and his friends reach their target of £300,000.
He said:
“We’ve been connected with Belmont Grosvenor for almost a decade – all three of our children have been pupils, and our youngest son still attends. I’m so grateful for their support, and for everyone who has supported us so far.”
James has set up a JustGiving page and the four friends have so far raised nearly £40,000 towards their target. They are posting updates on their Instagram page, and are updating it with their training regime.
Throughout the ride the four will be uploading videos daily to enable family, friends and followers to follow their progress along the 1,600 km route. Children Isabel, Alice and Thomas will be at the finish line in John O’Groats to meet their dad at the end of the epic ride.
To donate, please visit the team’s JustGiving page.
Read more:
- Pateley Bridge turns pink to fundraise for baby Arlo with leukaemia
- Pilates instructor in 18-hour marathon to help fight husband’s cancer
- Harrogate girls to cut hair to raise funds for friend with leukaemia
