Our fathers, partners, brothers, and friends are facing a health crisis, yet it’s rarely talked about.
We can’t afford to stay silent.
Our cyclists have done an outstanding job raising an amazing £3090 for Movember, kicking off our Kelly Group 2022 Movember campaign. Our cyclists decided to fundraise for Movember, a unique charity who fund ground-breaking projects for the three biggest health issues affecting men: mental health & suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer.
Big Blue Bike Ride – Sept 2022
Kelly Group was thrilled to enter a team of 11 cyclists into this year’s ultimate charity bike ride event; the Big Blue Bike Ride at Windsor on September 11th 2022 organised by Prostate Cancer UK.
On the 9th of September, due to passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we were informed that our Big Blue Bike Ride, scheduled in Windsor had been cancelled. Unfortunately, part of the route passed through the centre of Windsor and Windsor Castle which was closed for 10 days of mourning and was a key route for people travelling to Windsor to pay their respects while authorities prepared for the Queen to be laid to rest within St George’s Chapel.
This however didn’t dampen the spirits of our Kelly Group cycle team, as many carried on training. On the 11th of September, team captain Howard Campbell completed his own version of the 65-mile route he had previously committed to.
Team Captain Howard Campbell said…
“My brother passed away in 2011 with Pancreatic cancer. He was only 43 years old. My dad is living with cancer and undergoing radiotherapy sessions which began last month and has continued into November. This is his 3rd cancer diagnosis in 4 years. I wanted to do something meaningful and in 2016 I took part in TOC (Tour of Cambridge) Cycling event with Kelly Group and thought something similar would be a great way to fundraise for Movember.
I wasn’t sure at first if many people would be interested in a cycling event but I’m very happy that not only have my colleagues signed up but have raised funds with gusto! It makes the effort even more significant.
You only have to look at the difference in survival rates for all types of cancer compared to 10/20 years ago. It gives those at-risk hope that there will be a way of managing the disease through early diagnosis to live a normal life or even the ultimate goal reached for all cancers… a cure!
Movember is the leading charity changing the face of men’s health. They’re addressing some of the biggest health issues faced by men: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention. The projects funded are wide-ranging, including, biomedical research into cancer and early intervention community level programmes to improve mental health.
Cancer for many is present in their lives and for me it is very close to home. Although I totally understand why the Windsor event got cancelled - God Bless Her Soul -, it didn’t stop me feeling disappointed.
I thought about the chats with my dad, about how my training was going. During training, his house was a pit-stop on my route and on my recent 65-mile ride, it was also included on the way, and I was able to grab a quick fist-bump with my dad, who was cheering me on, as I cycled past.
I thought about all my friends, family, and work colleagues who had donated and supported the cause… It didn’t seem right to accept defeat. Also, the missus had given me this time off house duties! So far this has been a huge fundraising achievement and as you’ve stated is still open…"
Essex Season Ender Bike Ride – Nov 2022
Taking the significant amount of funds and fundraising effort into consideration; the marketing team came up with a solution to deliver a cycle event for our team to co-inside with the Movember campaign. We were delighted to enter 5 riders into this year’s Essex Season Ender Bike Ride Event, where cyclists had the choice to complete a 42-mile classic route or take on the epic challenge of a 72 mile route.
A huge congratulations to Howard Campbell, Andreea Toca, Reece Wheeler, Joe Kelly and Jack Bruce for the amazing fundraising effort.
Team Captain Howard Campbell said…
“I didn’t manage to get out on the bike much since September. I’m a “fair-weather rider” so I don’t feel the urge to cycle in the wet. I continued with my normal Spin Classes 2 to 3 times a week, but I really needed to get out on the bike more. Nothing to compares to hitting those real lung bursting hills to achieve thigh burn.
Completing a cycling event during Movember has again raised awareness to issues concerning Men’s Health. On average men are dying 5 years younger than women and a lot of the causes of death are preventable. Through early detection and knowing where to go to get help with Prostate Cancer awareness (Globally, 10.8 million men are facing life with a prostate cancer diagnosis), Testicular Cancer (Globally, testicular cancer is most common in young men) & Mental Health (Globally, men account for 69% of all suicides). I know my little bit will help with Movember’s mission.
During our cycle ride on Sunday 6th Nov, the weather was ATROCIOUSLY BRUTAL and BRUTALLY ATROCIOUS! We hadn’t even started the ride before being soaked through. At times I was unable to see the bike in front which was no less than a bike length ahead. The rain came down heavy from above and was recycled into my face from the wheels below. Roads were flooded! I soon found it best to ride through the middle of the flooded road to avoid unseen potholes. I hit one quite hard within the first 10 miles. How I didn’t get a puncture only the tyre gods know. At this point I’d just like to repeat “I’m a fair-weather rider”…
I had the choice to head off on the 42-mile route at the split, however I decided to continue on the 72 mile I commited to. The organisers said due to weather conditions there was no problem changing but I needed to lose weight so… in for a penny, in for a pound (lb).
It was tough for all of us. Due to our different starting times, I couldn’t ride with the rest of the team, but we all went through the same conditions. As a Team we should be very proud of our achievement.
Andreea, Reece, Joe and Jack “We all did massively well to complete the event and deserve a huge WELL DONE!”
We’re all in this together – let’s do it for the men in our lives.
