17 November 2011
Anthony Goodwin is a sore man after cycling for 15 hours and 15 minutes and travelling 260 miles.
After hearing that Holly, a 16 year-old member of his family, had been diagnosed with cancer, Anthony, a Sergeant in the Royal Engineers, decided to do something worthwhile with his weeks' leave from work. He decided to raise money to help pay for Holly’s wig she so desperately wants to help her cope with the side-effects of chemotherapy. All extra funds raised through his Just Giving page were donated to Keech Hospice Care, a charity close to his heart.
Anthony said: 'I know what an amazing job Keech does for patients and families, and I wanted to give a little back. My wonderful grandma, Eileen Jones, lost her battle against cancer on 26th September 2002. When my grandma passed away she left a void that could never be replaced.
'My grandpa, Cliff Jones, was lost and alone but with your counselling and support he has learnt to cope with his grief and he now helps others with theirs.
'Cliff has now settled in Sidmouth with his new partner, Anne Watkins, who also received help from Keech after the loss of her daughter Hayley, in the same year.
'I wanted to show my appreciation in this way and give something back to support Keech'.
He set off from Newmarket at midday on the 1st November to Sidmouth, Devon where he visited Cliff and Anne in Decon. Stopping just for a comfort break and energy drinks in Aylesbury, he arrived in Sidmouth 21 hours 15 mins after starting, having been 'in the saddle' for a total of 15 hours 15 mins.
And it was not all plain sailing, or cycling! His front brake caliper popped off with 80 miles to go, leaving him with only a rear brake for the hilliest stretch of the ride. He had hills with a 15% incline at several points along the way and at one point in the wee hours he stopped off for glucose gel, and slumped by a wall as an ambulance crew passed by. They spotted the bike and made an emergency stop. Anthony pointed out that he hadn't crashed, nor was he drunk-riding home from the pub, but he was riding 260 miles in 24 hours. On realising that they didn't keep straight-jackets in the ambulance, the paramedics left him too it, slightly nonplussed as to what it takes for someone to volunteer for such a thing!
Anthony admits he felt like getting off and walking! Fuelled by late night chips and the odd battered sausage, his weary legs carried his rubbed-raw body the full distance. But he arrived home and after a well-deserved shower and nap he vowed that it might be a while before he's able to get on his bike again. He described the pain as being like having fractured the balls of his feet, which was nothing compared to the pain in other parts.. and we'll leave it at that!
Mike Keel, chief executive at Keech, said: 'As someone who is on a bike a great deal – a motorbike – I know what 260 miles is like in the saddle and I congratulate Ant on this wonderful personal achievement. He’s going to hurt!
'Ant’s an inspiration and is a prime example of what is so great about our families. They not only support their own families when it counts, but they want to put something back to Keech so that we can help other families. I hope to be able to say thank you personally to him.
'We’d also like to wish Holly a speedy recovery.'
Anthony has raised over £700 and will be visiting Keech in early December to present the money.
