Reason

for Ride

My mum suffered from cancer and passed away peacefully in September 2001. She had spent all her short life caring for people and this is my way of showing how much I love her and care for others suffering now, and in the future, from this awful disease.

At present the stats are 1 in 3 people will contract cancer in one form or another in their lifetime. After losing my mother and talking to the ladies at work, I decided to use my health and ability to help and give something back through Cancer Research UK.

I didn't do any training prior to this and I wasn't a cyclist, but after doing the London to Brighton I decided to expand that route, I found this site:

Land's End - John o'Groats An East of The Pennines Route

which gave me the idea to do John O'Groats to Lands End. I found out about 1,000 people do this route a year. I added my mums home town and other locations which pushed the distance from about 900 to about 1,500 miles.

I will be cycling solo in this 'Ride for Life' , a support car will always be within 40 miles or so of me.

I am running / managing this complete event from building this website to riding the bike.

I hope to raise enough money to help Cancer Research UK which leads the field in cancer research, in the hope that at least one family has a loved one who recovers and leads a normal healthy life again as a result of this ride and your HELP.....

Others I will be cycling for :

• Bob Hart
  • His wife Marion, brother Brian, lost Bob to cancer in early 2001. Bob was always willing to help or have a laugh (like his brother)
• Sandra Keith
  • Paul lost his wife back in 2000 to cancer, all she wanted was to see her children grow-up
• Karen Williams
  • Karen has had cancer for about 3 years, Karen has amazing determination to beat this. Mid-Jan 2003 Karen passed away, she will be missed by many.
• Jen Smith
  • Jen was found to have cancer just after I lost my mum, the cancer was treated and cleared. Great news.
• Bridget
  • A work colleague who's suffering with cancer too.
• Lynne George
  • Lynne also a work colleague had cancer, it was treated and cleared. Great news...

Darren Mahoney

My Mum

Sheila Popplewell

1947-2001

Mum was born in London and had a brother and 2 sisters. Apart from me her son, mum also had a daughter Joanne. My sister Joanne had a son, - Alfie who mum was very proud off.

Mum worked at a Nursing home as a Caring Assistant. She always had time to help people even when she was in hospital. She helped family, friends and colleges just by listening and not to judge....

by Darren Mahoney (SON)

Bob Hart

1951-2001

Bob was the middle one of five children; he spent most of his early years in an orphanage looking after Brian. Although life seemed to deal Bob bad hands, he always faced up to his challenges and despite his well known stubborn streak, was known as a gentleman and referred to by his family and friends, as "the nice one". Bob got his reward after meeting Marion, the happiest time of his life was cut short when Bob lost a rather short, but painful fight against Cancer....

by Marion + Brian (Wife + Brother)

Sandra Keith

19?? - 2001

May be a message from Paul... Paul

by Paul Keith (Husband)

Jen works in our busy Office Services Department and is a bubbly, hard working member of the team. Jen was shaken and worried after being diagnosed with cancer. Happily her doctor had noticed it in the early stages and after treatment and further preventative surgery Jen was clear and back to her old self after a week....

by Zeitta (Friend)

May be a message from Karen / Friend...

by Karen / Friend

May be a message from Bridget / Friend...

by Bridget / Friend

Lynne George

May be a message from Lynne / Friend... Lynne / Friend

by Lynne / Friend