Thousands raised to fight cancer in 250 mile bike ride to Cowfold

When most people think of a bike ride they think of meandering along a canal side before a pub lunch or would- be professionals riding high- end racing bikes.
Nick St John and his girlfriend EmmaNick St John and his girlfriend Emma
Nick St John and his girlfriend Emma

For Nick St John it means a four day epic, covering more than 250 miles from his home in Leeds down to his mother’s house in Cowfold.

Nick took on what he called a ‘gruelling test of endurance and determination’ to raise funds for Cancer Research UK, a charity close to his heart.

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Nick dreamed up the challenge after his girlfriend, Emma’s, cancer diagnosis.

His mum had already beaten the ‘horrible’ disease twice and he wanted to raise funds to support the charity’s ‘ground-breaking work’.

Nick said: “I’ve never attempted anything like this before and it was a challenge to say the least.

“It was all made incredibly worthwhile by the generosity of all the people that have kindly donated to this fantastic cause.

“I feel honoured to have been able to help in such a way.”

To date Nick has raised more than £6,000 for the charity.

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Knowing that Emma had undergone six months of ‘gruelling’ treatment inspired Nick to take on the ride, if only to feel ‘a fraction’ of the pain his partner had gone through.

He added: “Seeing the effects of this every day, first hand - the sickness, the exhaustion, and the emotions, which are often kept behind closed doors, it sort of opens your eyes to the reality of the disease.”

Nick’s ride, split across four days took him through scenic countryside and along picturesque canal paths.

His first day, described as a ‘warm up’, was more a baptism of fire, covering more than 50 miles.

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The last, and longest, day of the trip was significantly more challenging and took Nick through almost 80 miles of countryside.

For more information please visit www.nicksbikeride.co.uk

To donate to Nick’s cause visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nick-st-john