Longest Day Up is a motorbike challenge to travel from Lands End to John O'Groats on the longest day of the year between sunrise and sunset. Bikes must have been bought for no more than £300.
My Uncle Alan died of cancer in 1999 aged just 59, leaving my aunt and two cousins. Alan didn't see his grandchildren, he didn't have the opportunity to enjoy watching them grow into the wonderful young adults they are today.
In the 22 years since Alan's death, cancer research has tackled the disease down to its very genetic roots in ways unimaginable to most people in 1999. Huge strides have been made in prevention, detection, treatment and post cancer care meaning many more people now survive cancer. But cancer doesn't rest and it isn't cured, every year it is still the leading cause of death in the UK. Covid-19 may have caused many thousands of deaths in 2020 and 2021 but it won't kill more than cancer.
I've supported CRUK since Alan died and 22 years on I want to do more. Motorcycles are a huge part of my life, I ride some 12,000 miles a year but most of that commuting the same 60 mile round trip every day. I wanted a challenge and 'The Longest Day' certainly provides that. I'm riding 'McFly' the same 1989 Yamaha XJ600 that carried me through the 2020 challenge. It cost £295, and needed some TLC before it could be taken on the road and now it is good to go.
CRUK needs our support more than ever this year and, more than ever, we need the work CRUK does to beat cancer.
I'm riding for Alan and many others, family, friends and colleagues. David, Gillian, Liz, Richard, Clive, Dale, Steve, Lorna, George and Tina to name but a few. Thank you for your support.
