A devoted dad has completed a 1,000-mile cycle ride in memory of his daughter, who lost her battle with cancer at the age of just 23.
Colin Loader, who lives in Walkern, and his friend Tony Thurston, who lives in Datchworth, have raised £10,600 for the Teenage Cancer Trust after successfully completing a bike ride from Dover to Durness in Scotland.
Colin and his family have helped to raise more than £230,000 for the charity since 2010, after Colin’s daughter Charlotte was diagnosed with cancer.
Charlotte died in February 2012, just days after her 23rd birthday, following an incredibly brave battle with cancer.
She was diagnosed while studying at Sheffield University, but battled on and completed her business degree while undergoing intense treatment.
Colin and Tony’s cycling challenge in her memory took 13 days to complete. Colin said: “It was, without any doubt, physically the toughest thing we have ever done, but we did it and we survived it.
“Thank you for all your kind support and generous donations to the Teenage Cancer Trust in memory of Charlotte.”
Colin added: “Charlotte was amazing and faced up to her terrible illness with incredible dignity and humour.
“She taught us so much about how to live our lives and how to look for the best in everything and everyone.”
Charlotte’s family and friends have been fundraising hard in her memory and hope to get as close as possible to £250,000 by February 2019, which would have been Charlotte’s 30th birthday, and will see a fifth and final charity ball at Tewin Bury Farm.
Judith Anderson, regional fundraiser for the Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “The incredible support from Colin and Tony by completing this huge physical challenge is invaluable.
“Without vital fundraising, the charity wouldn’t be able to provide the specialised nursing and emotional support that young people with cancer aged 13 to 24 so desperately need. But, right now, the charity doesn’t have enough nurses in East Anglia and can only support half of young people with cancer. The help of supporters through challenges like this is crucial to fund more Teenage Cancer Trust nurses.”
You can still support Colin and Tony by making a donation at justgiving.com/fundraising/inspiredbycharlotted2d2018.
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