2 0 1 9 P R U D E N T I A L R I D E L O N D O N H U M A N I N T E R E S T S T O R I E S

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Tim Oliver

Liam Fitzpatrick

Laura Sercombe

Luke Elkin

Tinashe Mandimika

Laura Jackson

Peter Mansell

Neil Peacock

Mandy Canning

Jonathan Evans

Matthew Oomen

Graham Twigg

Russ Brookes

document date: 16 July 2019version: 1.0

Biographies in A-Z of Charities

Tim is taking part in his third Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 to raise funds for The Brain Tumour Charity after his daughter, Emily, was diagnosed with a diffused midline glioma in January 2018.

Tim says: “She started feeling ill at Christmas while home from studying nursing at Nottingham University. It looked like labyrinthitis but our GP immediately referred us to hospital and, a few days later, they told us it was an aggressive, grade four brain tumour and she wouldn’t live beyond three months.”

Emily, 21, initially had radiotherapy, a six-week dose in just six days, then she was moved to the Royal Marsden Hospital where she had chemotherapy. She was also prescribed a high dose of steroids.

Tim says: “When Tessa Jowell spoke out about her brain tumour, I managed to speak to her husband who said she’d been for treatment in the US, then Germany so we did that same route.”

Emily saw a consultant in Los Angeles and was referred to a teaching hospital in Germany where they took DNA from the tumour to create a vaccine.

Tim says: “We went over in October to start treatment then every month until February this year where they also tried another trial drug to slow down growth of the tumour.

“But in April Emily started to deteriorate and was admitted to the Royal Surrey for a few weeks then discharged to hospice. The tumour has now regrown to a point it will end her life.”

Tim is leader of Surrey County Council and vice president of the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice. He will split funds raised from his Prudential RideLondon between the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice and The Brain Tumour Charity (BTC), which Emily has raised funds for herself.

“They’re both fantastic causes,” Tim says. “With The Brain Tumour Charity, I want to try and raise the profile of this horrible disease. Emily has the rarest form of tumour which is untreatable at the moment.

“The BTC is researching into causes and cures but because the numbers are so small, this kind of research doesn’t get the same level of funding. I want to raise the profile so there will be more research and, hopefully, a cure.

“It’s too late for Emily but, hopefully, not for someone else. I want to focus my energies on helping others not have to go through the same pain as us.”

Liam is riding his first Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 for the charity British Heart Foundation, who helped support him after he underwent life-saving heart surgery.

When Liam’s son Dan returned home from medical school in 2013 after a stint in cardiology, he gave his Dad a quick check up.

Liam says: “When he told me something didn’t sound right, I thought he was joking. I left it three months before going to my GP who immediately referred me to Watford General hospital.”

Tests revealed Liam had a bicuspid aortic valve and dilating aortic root which, if left undiscovered, could have killed him without warning. He says, “My hobby was long distance cycling, I’d sit on a bike for up to 90 hours with no sense that I could drop dead any moment.”

Liam was told he would be monitored but would need an operation at some point. In February 2016 Liam’s wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, two days later he was told he would need open heart surgery.

Six weeks after his operation Liam began cardio rehab with a physio team. He says: “They showed me how far I could push myself, how to recover through exercise.”

By the end of July, Liam was back on his bike, cycling from his home in Rickmansworth down to Brighton where his son was working as a junior doctor. He bought Dan a pint to say thank you.

Liam says, “I love cycling and the most devastating thought after my diagnosis was that I’d have to stop roaming the countryside on my bike. It seems incredibly fitting that I should be able to thank the people who cared for me by pedalling around London and Surrey.”

Liam is raising funds for the British Heart Foundation because they contributed to the training which enabled his son to notice something was wrong, support innovations in diagnosis and surgical practice which enabled him to get treatment and facilitate research which benefited him.

He says, “Every day I have a reason to be thankful to the British Heart Foundation. Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 is a chance to spread the word that when the unthinkable happens, there are amazing people on hand to get you back on the road.”

TIM OLIVER58, Esher, Surrey

LIAM FITZPATRICK57, Rickmansworth

Charity: The Brain Tumour Charity Charity: British Heart Foundation

When Luke’s son was born it was the happiest day of his life but, within hours, joy turned to fear when baby Liam was diagnosed with a serious heart condition.

Luke says: “It was the worst feeling. Liam’s our first child and we were so happy when he arrived but his post-birth checks found a heart murmur. Our emotions crashed down from such a high.”

Scans and an ECG showed the hole was bigger than initially thought and would mean an operation but medics wanted to wait until Liam was bigger. It was four anxious months before he underwent open heart surgery.

Luke says: “It was the most terrifying thing to watch our baby go into theatre. After just one day he was moved to the general children’s ward from intensive care but, soon after, he crashed. His oxygen went down and he was slowly stopping breathing.

“Alarms went off and the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) team rushed in to stabilise him. It was the worst moment of my life, everything went in slow motion.”

Liam recovered and is now a healthy, happy seven-month-old but Luke has never forgotten the team that saved his life. That’s why he is taking part in his first Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 to raise money for Friends of PICU.

He explains: “We are so grateful for everything they did, without them our son might not be here now. I love cycling so this seemed the perfect way to support them.”

Luke has always cycled but only bought a road bike earlier this year and is currently averaging around 60 miles a week.

He says: “It’s tough juggling training and work with a baby but I’m managing.

“I’m really looking forward to the sense of achievement when I get that medal but, more than that, I feel like I’m taking the worst thing we’ve been through and turning it into something positive. We can never thank PICU enough.”

Charity: Friends of PICU

LUKE ELKIN29, Eastleigh

CEO of children’s charity Challengers, Laura has decided to take on an epic challenge of her own, riding the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 to raise funds and celebrate the organisation’s 40th anniversary.

Laura says: “I’ve never done anything like this but it will be nothing compared to the difficulties faced by families we work with every day.”

Challengers provides inclusive play and leisure activities for disabled children and young people, never turning a child away no matter what level of support they need.

Laura says: “I see some of the most vulnerable children in our community turned away from opportunities most families take for granted. I’m inspired by the families we support and want to be part of ensuring we’re around for them for another 40 years.”

Laura will be joined on the ride by son Harry, 30, and daughter Gina, 27 and says training for the event has brought them even closer as a family. She says: “They surprised me at Christmas by announcing they’d be coming too; I don’t think they trusted me to make it on my own! We love each other but have very busy lives, doing Prudential RideLondon has definitely brought us closer together and I’m loving every minute of it.”

Harry has set up an exercise bike in the shed and Laura is training every day.

She says: “We train together and I’m now keeping up instead of being left behind, not bad for someone who didn’t have a bike at the start of the year.

“I’m beyond excited, I still can’t quite believe we’re doing it and I’m sure I’ll cry all the way around but it’s truly going to be a day that we’ll never forget.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all our friends and family around the course, to getting to the Finish Line but, most of all, to know I’ve done something extraordinary for the many disabled children who depend on us.”

Charity: Challengers

LAURA SERCOMBE57, Guildford

Tinashe is taking part in his first Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 to raise vital funds for London Youth Rowing. As a community coach for the charity, he knows first-hand what a difference the charity makes to the disadvantaged young people they are engaging with sport.

Tinashe says: “They become active, improving their physical, social and mental wellbeing along with developing crucial life skills.”

London Youth Rowing works with 10,000 children annually in schools across 12 London boroughs teaching indoor rowing in the winter then outdoor in the warmer months.

Tinashe says: “Rowing can be a difficult sport to access. We mostly work with kids from challenging backgrounds, many of them don’t even realise there is a river in London.

“Often when the youngsters first meet us they are quiet and reclusive but they soon come out of their shell. Rowing gives them an opportunity to challenge themselves in a new way and they really love that. We’ve had one boy go on to win the European Junior World Championship last year, he started rowing with us.”

Tinashe is a keen cyclist and is really looking forward to the opportunity to cycle around London’s landmarks.

He says: “The roads will be closed so it’s a great opportunity to explore different parts of the city. I’m told that Prudential RideLondon has a great atmosphere, it really feels like a milestone event for the London summer time.

“It’s a hefty cycle in one go, even for someone who cycles regularly, but I’m getting prepared and feeling confident. I’m looking forward to the day itself but, mostly, to knowing what a difference the money I raise will make to the young people we work with.”

TINASHE MANDIMIKA26, London

Laura was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder in 2018 after a 20-year battle with her mental health.

After her parents separated when she was 10, Laura suffered mood swings and by 15 suffered low confidence and depression affecting her school attendance.

She says: “I left with minimal GCSEs, left home at 16 and struggled to settle. By 19, I’d attempted suicide three times because I couldn’t deal with the pain of feeling rejected by my parents.”

She had post-natal depression after the birth of her three children which became more severe each time. She says: “My own childhood left me feeling such pressure to make sure my own children didn’t feel like I did.”

In October 2014, after her youngest child was born, she suffered psychosis, attempted suicide and spent three months in hospital. She explains, “Lincolnshire Mental Health Service was outstanding, I wouldn’t be here today if not for them.”

Last summer Laura was finally diagnosed with Bipolar and prescribed medication. She says, “I’ve got my life back, I can manage my feelings properly for the first time. At first I felt ashamed but after six months processing the diagnosis, I realised that Bipolar doesn’t stop me doing anything. I want to encourage others to not let their mental health struggles stand in their way. You can still achieve your goals.”

It will be Laura’s first Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 and she is raising money for mental health charity MIND. She says: “I love cycling and find it helps with my mental health. This is a big challenge but a good opportunity to support MIND, the work they do is really important.

“I’ve had my own battles with mental health and I went back to study to be a teacher and now work as a special educational needs coordinator in a SEMH school, so I see the effects every day. I want to try and reduce the stigma and change attitudes towards mental health.”

LAURA JACKSON34, Lincolnshire

Charity: London Youth Rowing Charity: MIND

Peter is taking part in his first Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 to raise funds for Myaware after his daughter Rosie was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis 18 months ago.

He says: “It started with her struggling to focus her eyes and, after various referrals, we got the diagnosis. We didn’t really know what it was because it’s extremely rare in children.”

Rosie, now 13, was put on medication to control her illness and, last year, suffered a myasthenia crisis, following a phased reduction in her steroid medication. Peter says: “The illness can attack the most complex functions including the eyes, speech and breathing. She lost the ability to bring the right oxygen level into her body, as a result she needed to be intubated and spent a number of days in intensive care. It was a tough time all round.”

Rosie is now doing well and Peter says the support from both Myaware and the Addenbrooks child development centre, particularly in connecting with other families in the same situation, has been incredible.

“Myaware provides such a great service to so many families,” he says. “It’s enabled us to share ideas and share stories with others going through similar problems. It’s such a rare illness, having that support has been really helpful.”

It will be Peter’s first Prudential RideLondon and he’s really looking forward to the challenge. He says: “I’ve heard that it’s a superb atmosphere and it will be great to ride through central London. Training is going well, six or seven hours in the saddle will be tough, but it will be absolutely worth it to cross that Finish Line and know I’ve raised money for such a fantastic charity.”

Charity: Myaware

PETER MANSELL40, Dunstable, Bedfordshire

Neil is taking part in his second Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 to raise funds for The Norrie Disease Foundation after his son, Ethan, was born with the rare genetic disorder.

Children with Norrie disease are born blind or with reduced vision and, in later years, can suffer partial or total hearing loss.

Neil says: “Ethan was born completely blind in one eye and with some vision in the other. It’s been a challenge, but he copes remarkably well.”

Ethan, now 14, attends a mainstream grammar school. Neil says: “He’s proficient in braille and uses a cane to get around. He also plays keyboard in a band with his brother. He’s smart, cool and really progressing in life.”

The Norrie Disease Foundation connects families who are affected by the condition and has been a vital information resource for Neil and his family.

“Norrie disease is so rare that there’s very little knowledge beyond basic medical facts so it’s really helpful to be able to get together and talk about the issues our kids face,” he says.

“It’s also inspiring. We see young people slightly older than Ethan who are off to university and those with younger children can draw comfort from Ethan.”

The Norrie Disease Foundation works with research teams at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) who are looking into the side effects of hearing loss.

Neil explains: “They are trying to understand why it happens and see if it can be slowed down or prevented. The charity has secured funding to keep the research going but they have to raise a certain amount of the money themselves. That’s why my wife persuaded me to get back on my bike.”

Neil took part in the first Prudential RideLondon in 2013 and says the people lining the streets really help you keep going.

He says: “I’m not as fit as I was last time but a lot of it is psychological and the kerbside support really helps.

“And Ethan is a real inspiration, thinking of him and raising money for The Norrie Disease Foundation will motivate me on the day.”

NEIL PEACOCK45, Colchester, EssexCharity: The Norrie Disease Foundation

Mandy will take part in her first Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 to raise funds for Parkinsons UK after her dad, Pat, was diagnosed eight years ago.

Mandy says, “I noticed Dad had a tremor, broached the subject and we went to the GP who referred him and it was Parkinsons. I never knew there were other signs - losing sense of smell, shuffling when walking, and anxiety. Looking back those signs were there. We need more awareness.”

Mandy’s mum suffered a haemorrhage 10 years ago and spent the last years of her life in a nursing home with no ability to communicate.

She says: “Dad had to cope with being on his own, visiting Mum and her not knowing who he was. It was very difficult for him and the Parkinson diagnosis on top of that was a lot to deal with.”

Mandy says the work Parkinsons UK does is vital for families. She says: “Their website has been really useful. Dad had problems with his stomach and, thanks to the Parkinsons UK information, we discovered it was linked to his medication and the consultant was able to sort it out. The work they do is absolutely priceless.”

Mandy began cycling after having a hip replacement four years ago. She will take on the Prudential RideLondon course with friends from her cycling club and her partner Helen.

She says: “I’m a bit nervous but I know I’ll get around. It will be lovely to see London and I’m especially looking forward to riding down the Mall.

“I think I’ll probably be quite emotional by the end because we’ve been building up to this for over a year. Also, we’ll have Dad’s name on our shirts, I’m doing this for him and that will make it really special.”

Charity: Parkinsons UK

MANDY CANNING47, Airdrie

Jonathan and Tony are teaming up to take on their first Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 on a tandem bike.

When Jonathan decided he wanted to ride with a visually impaired cyclist and raise funds for the RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People), a local Bristol bike charity put him in touch with Tony.

Tony, 55, was born with choroideremia, a genetic disorder which usually begins to affect vision during the teens and 20s and can result in complete loss of sight.

Tony says: “I didn’t realise I had choroideremia until I started struggling to see in the dark. Now I only have a small amount of vision in my right eye.

“I’ve used the RNIB’s talking book service and other services over the years. It’s a great charity that supports lots of visually impaired people in many different ways so I’m really happy to be raising money for them.”

Tony and Jonathan started training in June and have, so far, worked their way up to 70 miles. Jonathan says: “Communication is important in tandem riding as is getting used to each other’s cycling style. You go fast on the flat or downhill but going uphill is harder.”

Tony adds: “I always cycled from being a child but stopped as my sight deteriorated. It was 10 years ago that I first started tandeming.

“As the back rider you really have to trust the guy at the front knows what he’s doing. Communication is vital and you also have to be reasonably matched. It’s going really well.”

Jonathan says that although tandem riding is more of a challenge, getting to the finish line with Tony will make his Prudential RideLondon experience extra special.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” he says. “To be honest, one of the biggest challenges will be the logistics of getting the tandem up to London, you can’t exactly stick it on a bike rack.”

JONATHAN EVANS58, Bristol Charity: RNIB

Matthew is taking part in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 in memory of his brother-in-law.

On 5 July last year, Eddy left his wife and two-year-old son to go to work on his motorbike. He was in static traffic on the M4, when a delivery van drove straight into him. Eddy suffered irreparable brain damage and, after nine days on life support, treatment was withdrawn.

Matthew says: “We will never call Eddy’s death an accident. He wasn’t doing anything wrong.”

The van driver was charged with death by dangerous driving, sentenced to 11 months in prison and banned from driving for five years.

Matthew says: “The number of road deaths is scary, and when you look at the sentences for road deaths, they are a joke. RoadPeace educates people on the dangers and campaigns for a change in the law.”

Matthew will be joined by three friends including Mike Louzado who is riding in honour of his best friend, and Paul Young, who was permanently paralysed in a road cycling collision in 2015 when an elderly driver misjudged a turn.

Matthew says: “What happened to both Eddy and Paul was so completely and utterly avoidable. Neither of these two young, healthy and vulnerable road users should have been hit by drivers as they went about their daily lives using the road safely.

“The work RoadPeace does to support families, raise awareness, educate and campaign on road safety laws is vital.”

Matthew took part in the first Prudential RideLondon in 2013: “It’s a great atmosphere and a very rare privilege to travel through London with lots of other cyclists on closed roads.

“Eddy was a natural all-round sportsman and incredibly at home on a bike. He and I really bonded over bicycles so this does feel like exactly the right event to be doing in his memory.”

Charity: RoadPeace

MATTHEW OOMEN45, London

Graham can still remember the smile on his sister Carmina’s face as she stepped into the limousine that was taking her to Southend Theatre. The trip was arranged by The Willow Foundation which creates special days for people with terminal illness.

Graham says: “If I close my eyes I can still hear the laughter, it was priceless. I’m cycling to help Willow create happy memories for others and pay fitting tribute to my sister.”

Carmina was just 39 when she died of stomach cancer in 2006 leaving two young daughters. Graham says: “We are a very close family, I felt like I’d lost a part of me.”

It will be the fourth time Graham has taken part in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 and he says there’s always a brilliant atmosphere on the day.

He says: “It’s incredibly well organised, a great challenge and a great chance to see parts of London you don’t always get to see.”

This year’s event will be more special than ever for Graham as he’ll be joined by his niece Charlotte, 21, who is cycling in memory of her mum.

Graham says: “Charlotte was only eight when she lost her mum; her sister Sam just 13, so it was really tough on them.

“I’ve been helping with her training and it is going well considering Charlotte only bought a bike eight weeks ago and hadn’t ridden since she was 12.”

Graham says this year there will be no focus on time, it will just be about getting around the course and crossing the Finish Line together.

He says: “It’s always emotional to do this event, remembering my sister. I always shed a tear at both the Start and the Finish. This year, being there with Charlotte, will make it extra special.”

GRAHAMTWIGG51, Southend, EssexCharity: The Willow Foundation

Russ was 11 when his dad committed suicide. Having said goodnight to his father, he had no idea that the following morning his life would change forever.

He explains: “I woke up and my Dad wasn’t there. When I looked out of my bedroom window I could only see his legs as a doctor from the surgery next door tried CPR.”

Russ got himself and brother dressed then waited for his mum to come home from her night shift.

They were then taken to their aunt’s where, later that evening, their mum broke the news that medics weren’t able to save their dad.

Russ and his brother attended one of the first support groups for bereaved young children when Winston’s Wish was launched 26 years ago. They received counselling and grief coping mechanisms along with meeting other young people in similar circumstances.

Russ says: “Winston’s Wish gave us the space to feel everything we were feeling: devastation, anger, guilt. I worried that being angry with my dad was a bad thing but they helped me realise that it was normal to feel angry. I can’t imagine how life would have been for me without their support.”

Russ took part in his first Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 last year, 25 years after his father’s death and the launch of Winston’s Wish. He’s now keen to raise more funds in what would have been his Dad’s 70th birthday year.

He says: “Dad was very into cycling so RideLondon seemed like the perfect event.

“Last year the weather was bad and it was horrific going up some of the hills but I look back with such a feeling of accomplishment and the atmosphere was incredible. It’s going to be nice to do it all again.”

Charity: Winston’s Wish

RUSS BROOKES37, Gloucester