Latest news with #cyclingchallenge
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Police pals tackle cycle ride in memory of colleague
Two friends have cycled 131 miles (212km) from Cheshire to the Isle of Man in memory of their former police Wylde and Adrian Cannell completed the bike ride on Monday to raise awareness about mental health and remember their friend Stephen Hall who took his own life in three friends joined the police force on the island together in the 90s, with Darren and Adrian choosing to cycle 212km in one day in a nod to Mr Hall's collar number. Mr Wylde said completing the challenge - which saw them swap to exercise bikes during the ferry crossing - was "emotional" and a "proud moment". Dubbed The Long Hall, the challenge saw the pair cycle from Padgate in Warrington, which was where their friendship was cemented at police training college in 1999, to Ballaugh, the final resting place of the late police as a "larger than life character who is missed by everyone who knew him", Stephen had been a forensic collision investigator and was a father of loss was "devastating", Mr Wylde said, adding: "We wish we could turn back the clock, but if we can find a positive in his memory then it has got to be a good thing." The pair raised £4,895 for mental health charities Isle Stand Up to Suicide, Police Care UK and Ed's Man's Club. The duo decided to complete the challenge on Monday, to mark Mr Hall's birthday."With these milestones coming after his death, it was a good thing because it was a bit of a celebration when we came through to Ballaugh rather than a sad occasion," Mr Wylde said it could be "difficult to see the signs that someone is going through something and often people say they are all good but maybe deep down they are not"."It is the effects it leaves afterwards, the families, the children, the friends," he said. Throughout the bike ride the pair received the support of retired colleagues, friends and other they cycled past the fire station on Peel Road in Douglas, the service took their appliances out, put the blue lights on and clapped for them to show their support. Mr Cannell said: "I balled my eyes out as we passed Douglas fire station as it showed solidarity." With ambulance and other emergency service staff also showing support, he said "we all see some horrific scenes" and "they all carry that with them".Regarding mental health, he said people should reach out to those around them and "look around to see what is happening in their life"."There is a lot of paddling under water that you don't see, but by starting a conversation you can save a life." Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Hampshire 80-year-old cycles 80 mile in one day for charity
A woman has celebrated her 80th birthday by cycling 80 miles (129 km) in one day for the cancer centre that treated her. Lin Osbourne, from Basingstoke in Hampshire, celebrated the milestone birthday by raising money for the Ark Cancer Centre at Basingstoke and North Hampshire centre treated her last year for mouth cancer, which left her critically ill and in a Osbourne cycled from Poole Harbour, in Dorset, to Basingstoke in Hampshire, and said: "The best thing was that people joined me on the way and that was amazing." Ms Osbourne said her cancer was on her tongue and mouth and she had to have a 12-hour operation to remove said: "After the surgery, it really hit me, what I had been through, was as bad as it gets, worse than anything I'd been through."The Ark Cancer Centre in Basingstoke they were so helpful, they cared for me and they gave me hope."They said to me that I would never be the same again which I found very very difficult to accept."Then I realised that maybe change isn't always negative, so I thought something to focus on rather than focus on the bad stuff." She told BBC Berkshire that she "wanted to focus on something positive", adding: "I cycle anyway, I love cycling."I decided to do 80 miles for my 80 years, but my friend, Alistair Craig helped me with the route, exactly 80 miles and my friend David Curtis helped me train after my surgery."Ms Osbourne said she stuck to "bike-friendly roads" when completing her challenge."They were nice roads, quiet roads, it wasn't the A30 or anything, by the coast and through the New Forest," she said."The best thing was that people joined me on the way and that was amazing."It was quite magical really, having them all there." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
CBC
02-06-2025
- General
- CBC
A St. John's man has beat cancer twice, and is biking 200KM to help others in care
Gerry Allen is a two-time survivor of prostate cancer, and has taken part in several Princess Margaret Rides to Conquer Cancer over the years. This year, he's headed back for the two-day, 200-kilometre cycling challenge to help raise money for cancer research. He spoke about the ride on The St. John's Morning Show.
