by Alan Quick

TWO friends, both in their 70s and from the Crediton area are currently cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats in aid of a charity close to both of their hearts.

Christina Bowyer from Zeal Monachorum and John Hyson from Hittisleigh took their bikes by train to start their cycle ride from Land’s End on Tuesday, May 30 and are already doing well on their journey.

Tina explained: “We plan to cycle avoiding busy roads, where possible, and taking traffic free trails such as alongside canals when available.

“Our route is Land’s End, Bodmin, Home, Taunton, Bristol, Tewkesbury, Himley (west of Birmingham), Middlewich, Preston, Armside (bottom of Lake District), Cockermouth, Gretna Green, Sanquhar (30 miles NW of Dumfries), Ardrossan (South of Glasgow), Lochgilphead (51 miles south of Oban), Oban, Fort William, Inverness, Lairg, Bettyhill, (on north coast), John O’Groats.”

John said that he and Tina have chosen to raise money through sponsorship for Cancer Research.

He explained: “This last year has been a bad year for friends who are no longer here.

“Two were healthy male non-smokers who were not overweight. Both were three months from diagnosis to death.

“Both died within a month of each other. Both died of cancer.

“A neighbour of some 35 years has had to have a double mastectomy. Her daughter had cancer just after the birth of her first son.

“My cousin has had a double mastectomy and, as many of you already know, my son had Leukaemia, a cancer of the blood.

“Two good friends at Seale Hayne both lost their wives to cancer, a customer locally with whom I am friendly lost his wife to cancer recently. It is those left behind who suffer most, especially children who lose their mothers.

“There are so many reasons to give money to improve research, diagnosis and treatment.

“Research has made huge advances in recent years but there is more to do.

“A penny a mile, we expect to do more than 1,000 miles, so those who can spare a tenner this is a good cause.

“I aim to have a lot of fun being ’old, fat, and slow’. But I do aim to get there and would much appreciate your donations to Cancer Research.”

Tragically, David’s brother Richard Bowyer died last week after fighting cancer for nearly three years.

Tina said: “I too am affected by the continuing loss of family and friends afflicted by cancer. However, we are also blessed to have more people than ever before who are diagnosed with cancer that are still with us. This is because of new and improved treatments that Cancer Research is discovering to cure and prevent this disease.

“These are fantastic reasons to raise funds for The Cancer Research UK charity, enabling them to continue their good work. They are unable to do so with out our help.

“You will see that we are using Cancer Research UK’s own money raising website and not one of the well-known ones. The reason for this is that, unlike some other sites, they take no charges, so every penny of your donation goes direct to the charity immediately you press the button. Please do not forget gift aid. This increases your donation by 25 per cent.”

Tina added: “Thank you so much for reading this. It is very much appreciated. We are two OAPs, 70 years plus and it would be great if you can support our Jolly Jaunt.”

The pair hope to finish their marathon cycle ride on June 20.

If you want to donate, please visit the website:

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/tina-and-johns-cycle-ride or type into your search engine on your computer - Cancer research Tina and John’s cycle ride.

Alternatively, cheques can be made out to Cancer Research UK and sent to East Foldhay, Zeal Monachorum, Crediton, Devon EX17 6DH.