SportGibraltar

Cycling: London to Gibraltar Cycle Race off to a flying start

The beginning of the London2Gib cycle race, has got off to a good start. It is a physical and emotional challenge of enormous proportions, being carried out by 4 Gibraltarian cyclists for the benefit of cancer patients in Gibraltar and the UK.

The London2Gib Bike Ride saw four cyclists set off from the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea and cycling across the UK, France and Spain to the Lady Williams Cancer Support Centre in Gibraltar.

The aim of the Cycle is to raise money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign and the Gibraltar Society for Cancer Relief.

Father and son Freddie and Richard Muscat, Sigurd Haveland and Julian Bellido have been training dedicatedly for this arduous 2,500km ride which they hope to complete in two weeks (weather permitting). The original idea came from veteran cyclist Freddie Muscat, who has had first hand experience of the work being done at the Royal Marsden, where his son Francis was successfully treated for Hodgkin's Disease.

The team set out last Monday when representatives from the Royal Marsden Fundraising Team waved them off. Amanda Heaton, Fundraising and Community Development Manager, said she was impressed by the scale of the group's fundraising effort.

"Many of our fundraisers put themselves through enormous challenges to benefit our patients, and it is wonderful to see Freddie and his team do this cycle ride for us" Amanda said.

"We wish them the best of luck on the journey ahead. Lets hope their muscles don't ache too much and they are not too saddle sore by the end of it, and that the weather is good to them! "

The pace of the trip was established early on with the team completing the trip from the Royal Marsden to Portsmouth in four hours! They caught the overnight ferry to St. Malo where they met with the support vehicle and driver Jimmy Valarino. Even the support vehicle had trouble keeping up with the team as they wheezed through the small villages and the picturesque French landscape, through Reims and onto Bordeaux by Thursday. This weekend saw them go through the toughest stage of the journey as they crossed the Pyrenees, entering Spain through San Sebastian.

The team aims to raise £20,000 and is asking everyone to show their support in a variety of ways. Donations can be made over the phone by dialling 8921. Each call will be charged at £1.00 (with a small surcharge for mobiles), which will be donated to the event. Cheques and other donations can be made out to 'Cancer Relief- L2GC' and deposited at Barclays Bank or sent to the Lady Williams Cancer Support Centre, Devils Tower Road. Alternatively donations can also be made online at www.justgiving.com/london2gibcycle.

Please dig deep and sponsor Freddie, Richard, Sigurd and Julian online.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign and the Gibraltar Society for Cancer Relief will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor us now!
Many thanks for your support.

Click here: to make a donation

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