Two local cyclists are the Grecians' representatives this year
Avid readers of Exeter City’s website and eNewsletters will remember last year three intrepid cyclists pedalled a daunting 150 miles in two days in June between London and Amsterdam. The ride, organised by the Football League and to raise funds for the charity Prostate Cancer UK (PCUK), led to over £5,000 being raised by the Grecians’ representatives, contributing towards the several hundred thousand pounds being raised by the 150 riders from a wide range of Football League Clubs for the PCUK cause. The riders, pictured above at the iconic Ajax Stadium in Amsterdam, enjoyed a memorable ride, in their number were several ex-professional players including Luther Blissett, Perry Groves, Steve Vickers and manager Micky Adams.This year the ride is being sponsored by sports radio station talkSPORT, Exeter City FC will be represented by two keen cyclists from the Axminister area, Jim Giles-Henson and Gary (known as ‘Barry’) Mitchell. Jim is now into his fourth year of raising money for PCUK, raising in excess of £1,500 and cycling nearly 40,000 miles in the process. For these sins he has a broken hand in 2 places, a fractured rib, lost three teeth, fractured his jaw and only 3 weeks ago broke a finger in 2 places - so to say that he’s dedicated to the cause is an understatement! Jim said “My finger is now pinned back together and I am back on my bike and back in training currently riding 100 to 125 miles a week so that I am fit and ready for the cycling challenges that lie ahead”.
Barry is Jim’s work colleague and cycling buddy. He’s known Jim for over 10 years now and cycled with him on and off for about 5 years. He said “Ive taken part in the Jurassic Classic ride every year in aid of Prostate Cancer since it’s introduction 4 years ago and I have raised over £1000 for the charity in the process. So far this year my training has been a bit interrupted by a bad back but I am pleased to say that I am now on the mend and back in training”.
This Saturday’s match vs Southend United has PCUK theme with collections taking place around the ground. The players will be wearing the PCUK shirts as the come out of the tunnel and there will be a Guest of Honour for the day – see item on our website by clicking here.
Jim and Barry will be at the heart of this, pedalling their bikes – and getting nowhere! – on a ‘turbo trainer’ in Red Square before the match. Please give generously! Everyone attending the match on Saturday should make the effort to support them. Jim said “As far as fundraising is concerned I have so far been pledged about £500 in personal sponsorship and listed some items on Ebay that have very kindly been signed by the players and donated to me by Exeter City FC so a big thank you there guys for all that made that happen. At the time of writing the listings appear to be doing very well and will probably still have a few days left to run by the time you are reading this so do a quick search on Ebay and have a bid yourself for a chance to own a piece of club memorabilia and do your bit for a good cause as well. You can also donate some money towards this very noble cause via my justgiving link www.justgiving.com/jgillies”.
Men over the age of 40 in particular should be aware of the risks of prostate cancer, overall 1 in 10 men will suffer from this disease at some stage in their life. More information can be found on the PCUK website at prostatecanceruk.org.