£11,081 is the fantastic figure today on the www.justgiving.com/endtoendjuly10 page of Marwan Farouk, Neil Haldar, Sam McElroy and Kumar Pannikar. It far surpasses their aim to raise £8,000 for the CGD Research Trust. The four hospital consultants took on the challenge of riding from Land’s End, Cornwall, to John O’Groats in Scotland, a total of 997 miles. (You’re doing it the wrong way round, a friend commented – it will be all uphill!)
Marwan and Claire Farouk explained ‘Max, our middle son, was diagnosed with CGD last year. The CGD Research Trust is fantastic in providing support; it is at the forefront of research in the field, improving treatments and extending life expectancy. Max is likely to have a BMT next year which will, hopefully, be curative. (Louis is a perfect match and has kindly agreed to donate some!) We want to help support this wonderful charity and give something back.’
The idea was born on holiday in France and much planning and practice went into the event. Training consisted of 200 miles cycling a week in the previous four months. Claire says that ‘even now, Marwan is getting on his bike to go to work. I thought he would stop but now he’s got fit he says he doesn’t want to waste all that effort!’
The route was planned (to avoid most cities and major roads); a ‘Thrifty Van’ hired for food, spares and a rather worryingly large medical kit provided by Claire, ‘as if she is anticipating a multitude of untoward incidents’ before the team set off on July 2nd 2010. An important addition were the support team/van drivers, Dot and Lynnette, Judith and Stephen, Adrian Peake, Kevin Murray and Andrew Machell, who encouraged, cosseted and commiserated along the way.
The anticipated 15 day trip began on a sunny day, ‘climbing and whizzing down – I’ve never done over 60 mph on a bike’. The four set out with messages from friends and supporters – ‘If at first you don’t succeed … then it’s just as well you’re not skydiving!’ and myriad offers to rub sore bits! Claire said ‘I’ll be behind you all the way (well, figuratively speaking). I’m so proud of you all.’
Not surprisingly, food was an important pre-occupation and second breakfasts varied from mushy peas and pies in Shrewsbury to honeycomb ice-cream vesuvias in Larg.
The team blog recounts the highs and lows en route. By Day 6, the team realised the enormity of cycling 7 hours a day for a week. The lows - like ‘rain, rain, rain, rain, and a bit more rain for fun’, Warrington in the rain ‘never visit unless kidnapped’ - were matched by ‘fabulous countryside’. Marwan describes Day 11: ‘The day started miserably and ended gloriously. … Nelly raced a real cyclist up the hill toward Commando Memorial. Then along banks of Loch Ness, no monster spotted but stopped at whistle stop café for delayed 2nd? Breakfast. Suffice to say we ate a lot. The cook took a sharp intake of breath when we told him of our planned route. We came to … one of the longest steepest hills – 1 mile of 20% gradient, but we made it all to the top without heart attack. As soon as we got to the top the sun came up and rain stopped,. Absolutely glorious views of the Glens in the sunshine. Lifted the team spirits in an instant.
Arrived in Beauly where Andy was waiting with a cold beer which went down in 6 seconds. Long hot bath, haggis, steak, whiskey. What fun this was…’
With 37 miles to reach Land’s End, the team faced a last day of 25 mile-an-hour winds, rain and steep climbs. They arrived after ‘very hard going and completely knackered but exhilarated to finish – 2 days early.’
Family and friends were understandably proud of their great achievement. At the CGD Research Trust we are all immensely impressed and add our congratulations, as well as thanks to them all. Our thanks also go to Chiltern Hospitals and to Ethicon for their generous support.
For an entertaining account of the trip and to see photos, visit the team blog at http://lejogcgd2010.blogspot.com
For serious cyclists, Marwan made use of garmin.com to record speed, time, distance, elevation etc at
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/39310478?sms_ss=blogger
To swell the £11,018 total, please log on to: http://www.justgiving.com/endtoendjuly10
Are you inspired to do a sponsored event? To talk over your ideas, phone Rosemarie on 01725 517 977
IMPORTANT NOTE :
The information contained on this website is intended only as a guideline, not as a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor if you or your child has any CGD symptoms or concerns.
© 2001-2007 The Chronic Granulomatous Disorder (CGD) Research Trust
Registered Charity No. 1003425 email:cgd@cgdrt.co.uk
The CGD Research Trust is a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), the Genetic Interest Group (GiG) and an associate member of the International Patient Organisation of Primary Immunodeficiencies (IPOPI)
Site Map | Terms and Conditions | Privacy
