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24
Jul
Hampsthwaite man's epic journey to fight cancer
A Harrogate man has taken on the challenge of cycling the length of the UK to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
Eric Oakley, 64, from Hampsthwaite, will set off in September on a bike he built himself.
The 1,018-mile route from Land’s End to John o’Groats will see him climb 57,500ft.
Mr Oakley plans to ride for 14 consecutive days, averaginh 73 miles per day.
He set his fundraiser to a £1,000 target and has already exceeded that within a week.
He said he now aims to “raise as much as possible” and that he is taking on the challenge “in support and in memory” of people close to him.
He said:
I have a few friends affected by cancer but I am mainly doing it for two reasons, two people.
My niece, who is in her early 30s and has cancer of the womb. She has not been given a high chance of survival but we are all trying to stay positive because she is still with us.
It is also for my cycling buddy, David Birtwistle, who was diagnosed in October, and we lost him in February.
They are my main drivers, it is fresh in my mind so it is in memorial and in support of their battles.
He first took up cycling in his late 30s after he broke his back a decade earlier and struggled to continue with high impact sports.
Mr Oakley now marks each milestone birthday with a “major physical” challenge. His 60th birthday saw him walk 100km in under 22 hours to raise money for blind veterans, despite injuring his feet and needing hospital treatment afterwards.
This challenge will mark his 65th birthday.
He said:
I will complete it. I’m not belittling the challenge — it will be difficult but I am determined.
I’m feeling excited and confident but I have got very strong willpower so I will finish it come hell or highwater, just like last time.
Eric Oakley and his planned route
Mr Oakley will be supported throughout the challenge by his wife, Josephine, who will be driving a van filled with supplies. The couple will also be sleeping in the van for the 14-day ride to maximise the amount they can donate to charity.
To train for the challenge he has been cycling two or three times a week around the Harrogate district. He added that hill training comes with the territory of living in Hampsthwaite.
He said:
I would be out training more but the weather has been rubbish and any way out of Hampthswaite is a hill, so that has helped.
Before retiring, aged 60, Mr Oakley worked at Wetherby's GSM Valtech Industries. The company has donated £1,100 to his cause.
Mr Oakley is involved with the community in Hampsthwaite and has been on board with the school PTA and feast committee.
He also volunteers for Harrogate charity Open Country every Tuesday.
He said he is “excited for the challenge ahead” and already has ideas for another fundraising challenge to celebrate his 70th birthday.
The challenge will begin at Land’s End on September 5.
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