COUSINS Luke Nolan and Carl Luke took on the challenge of cycling 900 miles in six days from John O’Groats to Land’s End at the beginning of July.
They had chosen to take on this challenge to achieve personal goals and support Frome-based charity Positive Action on Cancer.
After training for six months and cycling more than 3,000 training miles the cousins set out on 1st July. Their support crew was sponsored by Innertar Bodyshop and Live2Ride, Frome’s specialist bike shop. Four legs of their cycle route was supported by local Frome businesses; Curtis Engineering, SW Plumbing, A J Brunt Haulage and Marston MOT Centre. In addition, other local businesses supported their cause by advertising on their cycling jerseys.
Despite the route being popular with cyclists, only a few complete it in such a short time scale. Having successfully completed the challenge, Carl and Luke are now busy collecting donations and with gift aid, they estimate their final total will be around £4,000.
Luke described the challenge as the most painful six days of his life – especially as he was battling an old knee injury over the last few days. “My legs wanted me to stop, but with all the support we were getting throughout the day on our phones via text and seeing the donations on our just giving web page increasing, I put those pains to the back of my mind and tried as hard as I could to get on with it,” he said.
Carl who proposed to his girlfriend Sarah at the finish line and described the challenge as the hardest thing he had ever done said, “A massive thank you must go out to all our friends and family for the messages of support over the week, and to everyone that sponsored us. We really appreciated it.”
Kelly Hall, fundraiser at PAC said, “We were so delighted to hear the total raised by Carl and Luke. £4,000 will pay for the provision of 100 counselling sessions to local adults and children affected or bereaved by cancer and other life threatening illnesses.
“I had the pleasure of seeing the boys in Somerset on day five and was moved by how much determination they had, despite clearly being in a lot of pain. As well as thanking Luke and Carl, we would like to thank all of the local businesses who made the challenge possible and everyone who sponsored them.”
If you would like to support Carl and Luke with their challenge visit www.justgiving.com/carlandluke.
PAC is currently the only organisation to offer free professional counselling to any adults or children affected or bereaved by cancer and other life threatening illnesses in BANES, Somerset and West Wilts. If you would like further information about counselling, the work of the charity or fundraising please contact Karen Dufton, administrator at PAC on 01373 455255 or info@positiveactiononcancer.co.uk
Pictured: Carl and Luke arrive at Lands End
