A Frome dad will be cycling through the French and Italian Alps this month in memory of his daughter, Poppy, who died as a victim of domestic abuse in 2018.
Rupert Waterhouse will be tackling two back-to-back events of the renowned amateur Haute Route cycling series, ‘the highest and toughest cyclosportives in the world’. This will involve cycling over 1,250 kilometres through the French Alps and then the Italian Dolomites and climbing over 36,000 metres – the equivalent of four ascents of Everest – with just two days off in the middle.
“I will be cycling in the spirit of and in memory (just like every day) of my amazing, world-embracing daughter, Poppy Devey Waterhouse,” said Rupert.
“I’ll be raising funds for the charity Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA), who have been of enormous help to myself, to Poppy’s mum, Julie, and to her brother Zeb.”
Poppy was stabbed to death by her maths graduate ex-boyfriend who was jailed for life in 2019.
“Poppy was just one of 149 women killed by men in 2018 (source: Femicide Census Annual Report – the government does not collect these statistics) and AAFDA continue to provide a forum for support for too many other families in our position,” added Rupert.
“Poppy grew up and went to school in Frome, attending Rainbow Nursery, Trinity First School, Oakwood Middle School and Frome College before going to Nottingham University, where she gained a first class degree in financial mathematics and then a distinction in her Masters in statistics.
“She played tennis and volunteered as a children’s coach at Frome Selwood Tennis Club, and played football with Frome Town Ladies’ junior teams, doing both with immense enthusiasm and no little skill.
“She loved seeing the world, and spent time travelling in Europe, Australia, the Far East and through South America. She should have been celebrating her 28th birthday in September of this year, but at the age of 24 she was viciously murdered (‘overkill’ is the term used) in her own home in Leeds by her recently ex-boyfriend, leaving her family broken and with a vast empty space in our lives.
“The strength that I have now comes from Poppy and the love that she continues to give to the world, and from the love and support of family and friends.
“For the cycling, I’ll be departing from Nice and taking in 12 timed stages over 14 days, with over 36,000 metres of climbing in total (the equivalent of four ascents of Everest!), going up and over 30 mountain summits or cols, including the fabulous Passo Stelvio at 2,758 metres above sea level, until reaching Cortina d’Ampezzo on 3rd September.
“My preparations have been slightly hampered by being knocked off my bike on Christmas Eve and having two operations on my right arm (elbow and shoulder) at the RUH in January; but I managed to cycle 800 kilometres across Portugal in May, cobbled villages and all (ouch), and then another 600 through the Pyrenees in July; and luckily, as those who have cycled with me will testify, my legs are made of a unique alien super-material; so hopefully I am back on track to complete the ride!
“AAFDA will be grateful for any donations, which will help them with their invaluable work. AAFDA is an independent and unique organisation that assists those left behind after fatal domestic abuse, helping families who have had a loved one ripped away from their lives to get victims’ voices heard, and providing specialist and expert advocacy and peer support.
“The tireless Frank Mullane MBE and his brilliant team also offer training, guidance and advice to professionals involved in cases of domestic abuse, and work to increase community awareness of domestic abuse and risk factors. For more information on the charity, please see their website – https://aafd a.org.uk.
“My Justgiving donation website will remain open until after the end of the ride: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rupert-poppy-aafda. Over £4,000 has been donated so far, which is fantastic.”
