This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 11th, 2014at 3:02 pm by zoe.leahy@activenation.org.uk

Team Active Nation Conquer The Etape de Yorkshire

Members of Team Active Nation had all the inspiration they needed when they rode alongside cancer survivor John Widdowson during the gruelling Etape de Yorkshire at the weekend.

The event – organised by the charity Cyclists Fighting Cancer– covered 120 miles across the Yorkshire Dales National Park a month before the professionals arrive to complete the same route as part of first stage of the Tour de France.

All of the entrance fees will be used by the charity to give new bikes, tandems and specially adapted trikes to children and young people who have been affected by cancer throughout the UK.

Active Nation Supporter John, 29, has raised thousands of pounds for CFC and other cancer charities after beating his own battle with the disease. He rode alongside Active Nation’s managing director John Oxley, his 15-year-old son Jonno Oxley and Active Nation’s deputy contract manager for South Derbyshire Steve Smith.

John Oxley said: “It was a fab experience – the Yorkshire weather was splendid – sunshine all day – until a horrendous downpour after we’d finished. The organisation by Cyclists Fighting Cancer was first class and the camaraderie that existed amongst the riders was brilliant.

“The Tour de France organisers say this is a stage for sprinters but with three brutish climbs along with a ridiculous 1:5 ‘wall’ at 115 miles the eclectic mix of amateur riders would beg to differ!”

John Widdowson, who works with the local Sports Development Team in South Derbyshire, added: “This was definitely the hardest ride I have ever done, but having Steve, John and Jonno there, putting themselves through it as well motivated me to keep on going.

“Knowing that the money raised is going to help those kids is all that I needed to keep on pedalling.”

John was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s diffuse large B cell lymphoma — a form of blood cancer — in January 2011. He lost all his hair and dropped four jean sizes as he underwent extensive chemotherapy at the Royal Derby Hospital. Even the simplest of tasks, such as walking his son Etoni to school, proved difficult.

On July 6, 2011, doctors gave John the all -clear. Just two days later his second child, Grace, was born.

And since this day John hasn’t looked back. He has organised fundraising events, ridden from Burton to Paris, last year his joined Team CFC taking on the worlds largest bike ride with 22,000 riders for 300km non-stop around Lake Vattern in Sweden and the charity have also asked him to present youngsters with bikes bought using cash raised by people like him.

He said: “I know the pain these children go through and have had the chemicals and treatments running through my veins. I now ride my bike and put myself through hell so that Cyclists Fighting Cancer can provide hope, spread some joy and deliver big smiles across the UK.

“Please, please have look at their website and if you can donate just £1 it will make so much difference. Times are tight, so if you can’t donate please share this and let’s spread some pedal love to children who deserve it.”

If you have been inspired by Team Active Nation get those pedals turning and get out on your bike! To make a donation to the CFC visit: www.cyclistsfc.org.uk or to support Team Active Nation please visit https://www.justgiving.com/activenation/ or text the word ‘ANUK01 £1’ to 70070 to make a £1 donation to Active Nation’s Rising Stars and Sporting Chance programmes.