Cross country cycle challenge to raise money for Daventry hospital

On Saturday, exactly six months after local plumber Ray Brooks passed away, his son Steve Brooks will set off from Severn Beach near Bristol and cycle to Badby. The following day he will head down the Nene Valley to end at Guy’s Head on the Wash. Over the two days he will cover 200 miles.

In February Steve started his monthly challenges to raise money for Cawthorne Ward at Danetre Hospital, which cared for Ray during the last months of his life.

Steve said: “The care Patsy and her team provided for dad and the support they gave us through that difficult time was beyond compare. We didn’t even know the ward was there until MacMillan Cancer Support suggested dad go in to manage his pain relief. It’s unfortunate that it is only during the worst of times that you encounter such a fantastic place.

“The collection at dad’s funeral raised £500 for the ward, but I knew as soon as dad went in that this year I’d be focussing all my fundraising for Cawthorne through the Friends of Danetre Hospital and trying to do something bigger than I’d ever dreamed of before.”

In February the year started with the 80km Chiltern Wildwood Cyclo-Cross Sportive, followed by the Spring Shakespeare 10km Run on what would’ve been Ray’s 71st birthday on March 12.

April has seen Steve take part in the 74 mile Cobbler Classic Sportive as a warm up for the end of the month Coast to Coast.

Steve said: “The Coast to Coast is the first of three big challenges during the year; the other two being held in June and September with cycling or running events in between. The last event will be the 10km Milton Keynes Mo-Run in November.

“I have cycled 100 miles in a day before, but I’ve never got back onto the saddle the following day. I’m not sure my backside is going to appreciate that.”

Anyone wanting to support Steve and the Friends of Danetre Hospital can go to www.justgiving.com/Steve-Brooks6.