Parent takes on epic Land’s End to John O’Groats Challenge for Blood Cancer UK
Scotland
Andrew Cooke, a parent from Wellington School, is preparing to cycle the length of the UK to raise vital funds. The 1,000-mile journey, which many cyclists consider a bucket list challenge, will be completed in just seven days.
So far, the school has held a series of successful fundraising events, including charity days, a dip in the sea, a Christmas Fair, and even a Strictly Come Dancing-style event. They’ve recently had a music night, will be participating in the Kiltwalk, and one parent is undertaking their most ambitious challenge yet – a Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle.
Andrew Cooke, a parent from Wellington School, is preparing to cycle the length of the UK to raise vital funds. The 1,000-mile journey, which many cyclists consider a bucket list challenge, will be completed in just seven days. He will average between 130-150 miles per day, with his wife Robyn driving a motorhome as his dedicated support crew, keeping him fuelled, motivated, and on track.
It's a ride on many cyclists' bucket list, the classic end to end, Land End to John O'Groats.
- Andrew, whose taking on the challenge
Andrew said:
“Once my daughter Annika became House Captain and suggested I could do a cycle ride for charity this was the one that immediately sprung to mind. It's a ride on many cyclists' bucket list, the classic end to end, Land End to John O'Groats.
“We are delighted to contribute to raising money for Blood Cancer UK and be able to play our part in fundraising on behalf of the school as Wellington has been part of our family's life since our eldest daughter Gabriella joined the nursery in 2008, followed by Annika a couple of years later.
“Annika's best friend since nursery has a personal connection to this form of cancer, and we know how important the donations are to ensure better testing and treatments are available to patients now and in the future.
“I'm undertaking this ride with the vitally important support crew of one (my wife Robyn) who will have the unenviable task of trying to ensure I keep my sense of humour and my supply of calories sufficient to complete the journey in 7 days or under, meeting me at various points during the day whilst driving a motorhome the length of the country and ensuring all the logistics are dealt with. In comparison my task seems simple, eat, sleep, cycle, repeat!”
Leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma and are forms of blood cancer, which is the UK’s third largest cancer killer.
- Mairead Macleod, fundraising manager at Blood Cancer UK
Andrew plans to set off from Lands End, Cornwall on Monday 28th April and hope to complete the adventure in John O' Groats by Sunday 4th May averaging between 130-150 miles per day with the total distance being just short of 1000 miles.
Andrew said:
We're both nervous and excited about this epic trip and thank everybody who can contribute to this worthy cause no matter how small.
Mairead Macleod, Blood Cancer UK’s Scotland’s regional fundraising manager said:
“Leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma and are forms of blood cancer, which is the UK’s third largest cancer killer. The funds raised by Andrew, Robyn, and the Wellington School community will help us continue to fund life-saving research and provide support to those affected by the UK’s fifth most common cancer..”
