Seven-strong team gear up for Prostate Cancer UK charity ride
A group of AFC Wimbledon supporters are gearing up to cycle from London to Amsterdam with the aim of raising money for Prostate Cancer UK, an official EFL charity.
With a month of fundraising still to go before the ride takes place, our magnificent seven have already raised a total of more than £4,300 – but they want to raise even more!
The seven – Anita Gibbons, Bruce McFadyen, Herbie Knott, Kevin Deegan, Paul Parma, Rob Crane and Sean McLaughlin – are following in the footsteps of other Dons fans who have supported the annual London to Amsterdam ride every year since it started in 2013. Visit the Prostate Cancer UK website to find out more.
You can make an online donation to show your support for the Dons cycling team by visiting their JustGiving page.
Rider Rob Crane said: “It’s going to be a tough two-day ride, leaving the velodrome at the Olympic site in Stratford and heading to Harwich to catch an overnight ferry. Then, we’ll spend the second day cycling from the Hook of Holland to Amsterdam, finishing at Ajax’s stadium.
“It’s 145 miles in total. Although the second day in the Netherlands will be a lot flatter than the first day in London and Essex, apparently the wind can whip up – and any cyclist will tell you that it always seems to be a head wind!”
The ride – backed by the English Football League and the League Managers Association – takes place on 9–11 June. This year more than 400 football fans, staff and legends of the game are taking part, including Les Ferdinand, Terry Butcher and Viv Anderson. Combined, this year they have already raised more than £250,000.
“Many people are unaware that prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It’s a huge issue that cannot be ignored,” Rob added.
“To put it in perspective, our average attendance at AFC Wimbledon this season was around the 4,400 mark. If all the crowd had been male, 550 of them would get prostate cancer at some point during their lifetime – that’s one man in every eight.
“If you’re a man over 50 and you want to get tested – especially if you’re black, have a family history of prostate cancer or are overweight – the first step is to have a chat with your GP.”
James Beeby, director of fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “We’re delighted that Wimbledon fans have again decided to join the fight against prostate cancer and ride to raise vital funds for Prostate Cancer UK.
“Ignoring prostate cancer will not beat it, and the money raised by our fantastic riders will fund ground-breaking research to help fight the disease.
“We want to make prostate cancer a disease that the next generation of men do not fear. We thank all the riders for joining the fight.”
Pictured above with Lyle Taylor are (left to right): Herbie Knott, Rob Crane, Anita Gibbons, Paul Parma and Sean McLaughlin.