Simon has a very personal reason for taking on this challenge – in memory of a close friend, Geoff Hill – who tragically passed away in September 2021 after a four-year battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.
He will never forget the day in which Geoff told him the news of his diagnosis.
“On the last day of a previous bike ride from Seattle to San Diego back in September 2017, a mate texted me to say that he had some bad news: he had been diagnosed with a form of blood cancer.
“I knew Geoff for longer than I didn’t: he was funny, smart, daft, great company, full of energy and ideas and is incredibly missed by all his family and many friends. We talk about him often, remembering funny stories and reliving good times shared: he was a bit unique!”
Geoff died from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia on 16th September 2021.
“Until his dying day, Geoff believed in and was working hard with Cure Leukaemia so that no one else would have to go through what he had gone through, so it only seemed natural to try to raise some funds so that they can continue with their pioneering treatments for patients across the UK.”
Simon will be taking on this challenge alongside 9 other riders, and the 10 day cycle ride will take the team to the 15 cities where Cure Leukaemia fund a dedicated Trials Acceleration Program (TAP) Centre Research Nurse.
The 10 riders will be led by Cure Leukaemia Patron and former England and Crystal Palace footballer Geoff Thomas MBE.
“There is an element of serendipity to this challenge as it will fall on the two year anniversary of Geoff’s passing, and the tour will be led by ex-Crystal Palace captain and Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia survivor, Geoff Thomas. He knew Geoff through Cure Leukaemia and was good enough to come to his funeral: I hope that the notion of me struggling around the UK some way behind GT would give GH a chuckle!”
Due to work, Simon will miss the start of the Tour in his native Northern Ireland but he will be joining the other nine riders in Lockerbie on Friday 15th September – the following day which will mark the two-year anniversary of Geoff’s passing – with the group finishing together in Birmingham on Friday 22nd September.
Simon will then complete the miles that he missed at the start of the challenge on his own in order to take him home to Lancashire, taking on approximately 100 miles every day in this epic challenge.
Former England footballer and Patron of Cure Leukaemia, Geoff Thomas MBE, was celebrated last night with the prestigious Special Recognition Award at The Sporting Club Awards.
Birmingham Businesses Rally to Support Groundbreaking Paediatric Blood Cancer Trials Network
