End2end08

A UK first – 4 lads on one of the world’s rarest machines –

a ‘quadracycle’ will attempt the 1000 miles Land’s End to John O’Groats for charity.

Outline Description:

In February 2007 3 sons suddenly lost their dad to cancer. Determined to support their local Southport Hospice they will make the first ever attempt to cycle over 1000 miles Lands End to John O’Groats on a quadracycle. Their aim is to raise desperately needed funds for both Queenscourt Hospice and the British Limbless Ex Servicemen Association (BLESMA). En route the lads will be visiting several local schools to promote fitness, cycling proficiency and life inspiration.

Why are we doing it?

We were touched by the depth of care our father received in his dying days from the staff of Queenscourt Hospice. Determined to do something different we have embarked on a project to raise desperately needed funds for Queenscourt and BLESMA. Jonathan, having served in Iraq with 7^th Armoured Brigade the Desert Rats and whose Battalion 2^nd Bn The Yorkshire Regiment is currently fighting in Afghanistan, we are keen to raise funds for the young soldiers who have sadly lost their limbs. For this BLESMA is our charity of choice to support these soldiers and their families.

The Charities:

Queenscourt Hospice Southport was opened by HRH Princess Diana in June 1992. The hospice is a 10 bedded facility that provides advanced palliative care to terminally ill (mainly cancer), progressive and those with incurable diseases. Queenscourt not only comforts the dying but their immediate family with a level of support that is second to non. Queenscourt requires £1.5m per year yet only receives a 1/3 public funding and is therefore entirely dependent on fund raising to remain open. End2End will directly contribute to the refurbishment of existing palliative care ward with new hydraulic beds and associated equipment.

Queenscourt Hospice

Town Lane

Southport

PR8 6RE

Tel 01704 544645 Fax 01704 533655

www.queenscourt.org.uk or hospice@queenscourt.org.uk

Medical Director Dr Karen Groves

Charity Number 518801

Point of Contact: Mr Brian Halliwell Tel mob 07784008091

British Limbless Ex Service Men’s Association (BLESMA)

BLESMA is a national charity for limbless ex-Service men and women. The objects of the Association are to promote the welfare of all those of either sex who have lost a limb or limbs, or one or both eyes, or the use of limbs as a result of service in any branch of Her Majesty's Forces or auxiliary forces and to assist needy dependants of such service limbless. It will also help those ex-Service men and women who lose a limb for whatever reason after service. The association is supported entirely by voluntary subscription. There are 22 Branches located throughout the UK plus fourteen BLESMA Welfare Representatives in those areas where no Branch exists.

The British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (BLESMA)
Frankland Moore House
185 - 187 High Road
Chadwell Heath
Romford
Essex
RM6 6NA

Telephone: 020 8590 1124 Fax: 020 8599 2392

For more information, please visit the BLESMA website on:

www.blesma.org or headquarters@blesma.org

BLESMA Charity fact sheet:

www.civvystreet.org/partnership/tabid/596/Default.aspx

National BLESMA Point of Contact Mr Frank Garside Tel 020 8590 1124

Northwest BLESMA Welfare Co-ord Mr Mike Downs Tel 01942 726677

Jonathan Cunningham: Soldier - Aged 36 married to Joanne, 3 children, Kitty(3) - Bertie(6) – Edward(9). Lives in Churchtown Southport, schooled at St Mary’s in Crosby, degree from Bristol University and then attended Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Became an Infantry Officer in The Green Howards and has deployed to Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Iraq. Currently is 42 (NW) Brigade Chief of Staff based in Preston. Interests include building tree houses and agreeing to his wife. End2End project manager and navigator. Quote “I’ve been shot at and blown up – yet I’m more terrified of this!”

Mark Cunningham: Estate Agent. Aged 35 married to Lyn. Lives in central Southport, schooled at St Mary’s in Crosby. Initially set up Management Consultancy Services providing senior management care for residential and nursing care homes. Lived and worked in London for 8 years. Recently established Anthony James Estate Agents with offices in Southport and Crosby. End2end sponsorship co-ordinator. Quote “How many pubs will we stop at?”

Alistair Cunningham: Sports and Injuries Therapist – aged 30 married to Olivia. Lives in Kew, Southport. Schooled at St Mary’s College (Crosby) and St David’s College Llandudno, North Wales. At 16 joined the Parachute Regiment (for 3 months!), before becoming life guard for Southport Beach. Alistair now runs a health, injury and rehabilitation clinic in Southport using western and eastern techniques. In addition he assists the head physio at Morecombe Football Club. Claim to fame – only man to play the didgeridoo live on Radio One from the end of Southport Pier! End2end remedial therapist, training and nutritional co-ordinator. Quote “Can I bring my Didgeridoo?”

Tony Jones: Freelance sports therapist. Aged 32, single. Lives Banstead in Surrey although schooled at Christ the King Southport the attended George Walton Academy, Georgia, USA and then Lilleshalle England National Sports Centre. Worked as professional basketball player for Manchester Giants and Monzon Basketball Team, Barcelona. Fully trained lifeguard and personal fitness trainer and recently set up as a freelance sports therapist. End2end08 technical expert. Quote “Fellas I'm quite enjoying this!

Land’s End to John O’Groats is an iconic cycling journey. Each year hundreds attempt it young and old, soloists and groups on a multitude of cycles from recumberents to tandems. However, no-one has ever achieved nor attempted the 1000+ miles on a ‘quadra-cycle’ a single framed bike, two wheels with 4 lads in between. Everyone remembers the Goodies’ bike – this is one better!

Their plan is to cycle up the country. Starting at Land’s End on approx 3^rd Jun and cycling at 10 mph covering a daily average of 60-65 miles per day. They will cross the finish line on Fri 20^th June. The cycle will take them 17 days (including a 1 day rest break at Southport). En route, as they pass though each major city and town they will be greeted by the local BLESMA representative providing a suitable media opportunity for TV, radio and press.

On arrival at Southport their plan is for a formal civic reception at the Town Hall before cycling to Queenscourt where the will be met by a gathered crowd of supporters and staff for encouragement. While in the NW they will cycle via several primary schools where they will provide a talk to the children on keeping fit, life ambition and why should we help each other. The children will then follow the end2end team on a short section of their route thus enabling those children to receive a certificate of achievement for completing part of the total route. The trip will conclude on Fri 20^th Jun at John O’Groats Mainland Britain’s most northerly point.

UK’s leading specialist tandem supplier and manufacturer of own ‘Orbit’ brand

Quote “We were touched by their story and wanted to assist – they must be bonkers; this bike will take considerable skill to ride it that distance – we wish them luck!”