Pedal power raises cash for Doncaster hospice appeal

Ooh la la….a team of cyclists have used pedal power to trek 460 miles from Blackpool Tower to the Eiffel Tower to raise money for Doncaster’s hospice appeal.
Pictured from the left is Graham McEllin (rider), Andrea McEllin (wife), Chris Barlow (support crew), Joy Davidson (wife), Mike Davidson (rider) and Phil Gough (support driver).Pictured from the left is Graham McEllin (rider), Andrea McEllin (wife), Chris Barlow (support crew), Joy Davidson (wife), Mike Davidson (rider) and Phil Gough (support driver).
Pictured from the left is Graham McEllin (rider), Andrea McEllin (wife), Chris Barlow (support crew), Joy Davidson (wife), Mike Davidson (rider) and Phil Gough (support driver).

The team of four, who are from Woolston, Cheshire, set off from rainy Blackpool and completed the Tower2Tower ride in five days.

And the feat has raised a staggering £800 for the Balby–based St John’s Hospice Appeal.

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Graham McEllin and Mike Davidson cycled from Blackpool to Paris while Phil Gough and Chris Barlow were the support team who followed in a pick-up truck. Wives Joy Davidson and Andrea McEllin cycled 40 miles of the first day before flying into Paris to meet the team at the finish line.

The cycle ride was in memory of friend Stuart Scott, 52, of Woodfield Plantation, Doncaster, who was originally from Warrington, and who died earlier this year and received care from staff at the hospice.

Stuart died from throat cancer and was good friends with the cycling team, and used to scuba dive with them.

The team also held a race night in memory of Stuart, raising a further £1,482 for the appeal. They also raised an additional £1,354 through a Just Giving page which is being donated to the Doncaster Cancer Detection Trust.

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Ride organiser Mike Davidson said: “The ride went very well. We only had two punctures in over 460miles!

“We all had a great time and the weather was kind to us. It was an excellent way to raise money for our good friend Stuart.”

Stuart’s widow Amanda said: “The hospice care that Stuart received was amazing. The support they gave to Stuart and to the family was fantastic. I want to give thanks to the hospice staff but also to our friends who took part in this gruelling cycle challenge.”

Chris Smith, of the St John’s Hospice Appeal, said: “What an astounding feat this is.

“It’s an amazing achievement by the team and I want to thank each and every one of them. We are so grateful for this fantastic donation to our appeal.”