AFC Wimbledon’s team of cyclists battled through 140-plus miles for a great cause recently to smash their sponsorship target for Prostate Cancer UK.
Laura Hart, David Welch, Ian Hicks, Ian Robinson, and Dennis Gleeson raised £5,400 for charity in the Football 2 Amsterdam event, which brought together over 400 cyclists from clubs all around the country.
Split into two groups – one starting from London’s Olympic Velodrome and the other from Barnsley FC – cyclists triumphantly finished the challenge at the Amsterdam ArenA, home of Ajax. Dennis started his challenge from the northern venue and he is also pictured in our gallery above.
Prostate cancer affects one in eight men with one man every 45 minutes dying from the disease in the UK.
Our five AFC Wimbledon representatives told us that it was one of the most fulfilling, exhausting, and exhilarating events that they had ever been involved in.
David Welch said: “The marathon ride required teamwork, a heap of determination, boundless humour, and an endless supply of jelly babies! The support within the team and between those linked to clubs from Aston Villa to Wycombe Wanderers was excellent, each motivating the other to succeed, to make it up that next hill.
“Our adventurous Wombles raised £5,400 in sponsorship for prostate cancer research. Overall, the 400 cyclists have already raised half a million pounds and are on target for up to £600,000.”
Dennis Gleeson added: “The ride was definitely a challenge, but it was made a lot easier due to the friendship and support of my fellow riders. The camaraderie amongst the group was humbling and grew rapidly as the North met South in Holland. It was lovely to see Liverpool and Man United supporters riding alongside each other, having healthy banter, and Liverpool and Everton fans embracing at the end.
“I left Barnsley on Friday on the harder route (a bone of contention among the Southerners!) and managed to meet up briefly with my fellow Wombles just outside of Amsterdam. We all got together for the post-ride celebratory meal and a few bevvies in Amsterdam, followed by a late night and equally late breakfast!
“The important thing, and the whole reason for doing the event, was that everyone involved managed to raise £500,000 for Prostate Cancer UK. I feel very proud to have contributed in some way to the event and to raising this huge total.”
All at AFC Wimbledon congratulate our team on their excellent achievement.
For more information on prostate cancer, visit the website. To contribute to the AFC Wimbledon team’s fantastic fund-raising efforts, visit their JustGiving page.