Andrew Derby and Joe Coleman cycling 1,000 miles to raise funds for Bloodwise

Joe Coleman and Andrew Derby are cycling 1,000 miles to raise funds for Bloodwise in memory of Maggie, Joe's late wife.

Andrew Derby, from Heywood, and Joe Coleman, from Bury, are cycling 1,000 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End to raise £5,000 for Bloodwise during August.

The duo will be cycling 50 miles a day between 6 August and 24 August on the feat of endurance and have so far raised just over £2,000.

Originally planning to take on the challenge in 2012 with his late wife Maggie, Joe, formerly an RSM in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, is joined by, Andy, his skiing partner and a Major in the Duke of Lancs Regiment, to undertake the task in Maggie’s memory.

One week before Joe and Maggie were to depart on their mountain bikes, Maggie was diagnosed with leukaemia. After a three-year battle, Maggie died on Remembrance Day, the day after their youngest son Oliver’s 12th birthday.

Joe explained: “During the early days of her illness, Maggie was placed on a trial drug, the kind of drug that Bloodwise raise money for: important work and vital research to win the fight against cancer.

“It was then that I realised the sterling work that Bloodwise undertake for the benefit of all blood cancers sufferers and their families. The trial drug bought us (Maggie) the time we all needed as a family until a bone marrow donor could be found. Sadly, the bone marrow transplant didn't work.

“The support we as family received from Bloodwise was first class and everlasting, including a family trip to Disneyland Paris. Bloodwise was instrumental in giving Maggie and us another two Christmases as a family. In that extra time, she was able to see Lewis win his bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games, she was able to see Oliver in his new uniform for secondary school and his 12 Birthday - some of the things most families take for granted.

“So for me, I have to finish what Maggie and I started. I also want to use the opportunity to raise money and awareness for the brilliant charity Bloodwise who gave our family so much support and the life-long lasting memories.

“With your help and support, the money that we raise will give other cancer sufferers and their families the essential support in time of turmoil.”

Bloodwise was founded in 1960 as the Leukaemia Research Fund by the Eastwood family, who lost their six-year-old daughter Susan to the condition. They believed there could and should be hope for people with blood cancer.

Since its conception, Bloodwise, formerly Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, has invested over £500 million in world-class blood cancer research and has paved the way for ground-breaking discoveries such as combination chemotherapy, cancer biology, stem cell transplantation and immunotherapy.

To donate, visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/joe-coleman2