Joanne and team complete epic charity cycle
They did it!
A team of four medics, led by Okehampton Medical Centre nurse Joanne Wood from Chagford, have completed their 1,000-mile charity cycle challenge.
Joanne rode from John O’Groats to Land’s End with Ali Round, a retired GP who practised in Tiverton, Suzanne Ingram, a doctor in Honiton, and former nurse Linda Collins from Woodbury.
They have raised more than £4,000 for FORCE Cancer Charity, who supported Joanne after a diagnosis of breast cancer two years ago.
The team had been all set to ride in 2020 when COVID struck and Joanne’s diagnosis put back their plans still further.
But they remained determined to make the iconic trip from the tip of Scotland to the most westerly point of mainland England.
Fantastic
Joanne takes up the story: “We had the most fantastic time – so incredibly lucky with the weather and fantastic support from friends and family.
“Once we got to the South West we had a number of people either join us for coffee, lunch or cycle with us with parts of the day, which was so special.
“All our husbands were there for the last night and to meet us at Land’s End plus my mum and sister, who came down as a complete surprise.
“The final mile was very emotional for all of us I think, but especially for me. I was completely overwhelmed by being there and doing what we had done after all that went on in 2021. In June 2021 I was just about to start chemotherapy.
“We cycled about 1,052 miles in total through glorious British countryside. We met lots of people along the way, many of whom gave a donation which was so incredibly kind and often made me cry!
Mature
“We got only slightly lost a couple of times. We had one puncture between us, no one fell off (apart from Ali, who toppled off when she was static about 10 metres from the van one morning as she forgot to unclip her foot! Not hurt and very funny!) and no-one picked up any injury either – pretty good for four ‘mature ladies.’
It was a fantastic trip and to have been able to raise so much too was the cherry on the cake.”
You can still support Joanne’s fundraising at www.justgiving.com/page/joanne-wood or Suzanne’s at www.justgiving.com/page/suzanne-ingram
Joanne received support from FORCE at its main support centre in Exeter. The charity also offers a programme of help and advice at Ottery St Mary and will resume its services at Okehampton Hospital this September with a suitable location being sought in Mid Devon.
You can read more about Jo’s cancer journey at forcecancercharity.co.uk/news/nurse-jos-1000-mile-cycle-for-force/
