Two-wheeled efforts raised funds in Mark’s memory

Cycling 254 miles in three days in memory of a husband, brother-in-law and friend saw thousands raised for our Hospice.

Angie Durham was joined by her late husband Mark’s brother-in-law Nigel Dulieu and friends Paul Thomas as well as John and Sarah Faith for the cycling challenge.

With the group’s journey, starting in Dunkirk on Saturday, 2 July, their first day saw them clock up around 100 miles as they cycled through Belgium and into Holland.

After resting for the night their second day in the saddle saw them ride 75 miles back into France to the town of Roubaix, which is famous for its cobbles.

On day three the group set off from Roubaix with their 75 mile route taking them through historic towns including Ypres before they reached the finish line just south of Bruges.

“We all really enjoyed it. It was tiring and it was a challenge but doing it together as a group was a lot of fun. Our support team were also really good, they kept us going,” said Angie.

“We only had three punctures – they were all Paul’s and they happened one after the other on the first day, so at least he got them out of the way. When we got to Roubaix we were also able to cycle around the velodrome which we all enjoyed,” added Angie.

The cycling raised £3094 for the Hospice, which cared for Angie’s husband Mark, 45, who died on 11 June 2014 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour the previous Christmas.

This isn’t the first time the group’s charitable two-wheeled efforts have raised funds for the Hospice as last year Angie, Nigel, and Paul cycled from Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds, to Cromer, in Norfolk.

In 2014, three weeks after Mark’s death Nigel and Paul were joined by Ian Dulieu as they cycled across France and Belgium to mark the centenary of World War One. They originally conceived and planned the ride with Mark before his diagnosis, but undertook it in his memory.

The group are already planning their next charitable challenge – the Way of the Roses coast to coast cycle route from Morecambe to Bridlington.