'Blade on a Bike' Sheffield United fan James Kemp sets new goal after £10k target achieved
He has had an offer from Billy Sharp to join him on one of his rides this season
A Sheffield United fan cycling to every one of his team’s away game this season has raised £10,000 after 10 games - and has now increased his target.
‘Blade on a Bike’ James Kemp initially hoped to raise £10,000 for Western Park Cancer Charity but thanks to the generosity of supporters, he has raised the bar.
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James has set himself a mission to cycle to all 23 of United’s away matches this season and now hopes to raise £50,000 for the charity.
He embarked on his fundraiser after his partner’s stepdad, Andy, was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
After cycling to 10 stadiums so far this season, including Bochum in Germany, his initial £10,000 target was reached.
The money will go towards the cost of an MRI Simulator to revolutionise the way clinicians plan and deliver radiotherapy. It will speed up recovery times and limit side effects.
James said: “It's a brilliant achievement from everyone who's donated. Thank you to everyone who has.
“I know it's quite an ambitious target, but it would go a long way to funding Western Park in some key areas that people don't realise.”
James completed a similar endeavour during the 2019/20 season and raised over £19,000 for the Children’s Hospital Charity supporting Sheffield Children's Hospital.
He said the inspiration for the latest fundraising came after he visited Weston Park Hospital.
“It really shocked me. People a lot younger than me were there and it really upset me. So I just thought, well, I'm a little bit older, not much wiser, let's give it another go,” he said.
James highlighted Germany as a landmark occasion.
“Bochum was tremendous because the club were absolutely brilliant. Francesca Wilder (manager Chris Wilder’s wife) was key to that,” he said.
“There was a big send-off from the players on the pitch, and that got the donations going.”
James said that United legend Billy Sharp had recently offered to join him for one of his journeys.
“Cancer affects one in two of us. In fact, it affects everybody, because everyone knows somebody in the family or a friend that's got cancer,” he said.
“When I'm cold and wet, and I look at the donations coming in and the words of encouragement, it really does spur me on; it really does help.”
“Just to make me feel as though we're doing something, we can try and do something to help.”
Support James and donate to Western Park Cancer Charity here: https://wpcc-register-fundraiser.raiselysite.com/james-kemp