1,000 mile bike ride to celebrate life for Derby man

To celebrate turning 60, Derby man Eddie Stanley will cycle over 1,000 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats and raise funds for Rainbows.

On Tuesday 14 May, Eddie will start his ride at Cornwall’s most southerly point. He will cycle around 85 miles a day for 13 days, totalling 1,087 miles.

Eddie will be assisted by his wife, Sally, who also has a significant birthday this year, as his support vehicle driver meeting up each evening along the route.

Sally is a recently retired teacher, with 35 years experience working within early years. Some years ago, she taught a boy called Tom Stevenson, who is supported by our charity. Tom (now 16), needs a heart and lung transplant and has endured many surgeries since he was two-days-old. Sally has remained in contact with Tom and his parents and has closely followed his progress.

Eddie had a serious bike accident three years ago that resulted in a stay in Intensive Care, several broken bones, surgery and a long road to recovery. Eddie of Borrowash, said: “Passing 60 and being able to take on this challenge is only possible due to the help and support of family, friends and the medical staff at Royal Derby Hospital.

“Hearing how Tom and his family talk about Rainbows and the wonderful help and support they provide them, makes me want to help Rainbows to continue to help Tom, his family and other poorly babies, children, young people and their families.

“LEJOG will be a fair old challenge, but I am really excited. I have cycled for many years with my friends from the Ockbrook and Borrowash Velo Club, touring Majorca and mainland Spain, in addition to lots of 100 and even a couple of 150-mile sportives in a day. But nothing as long and exhaustive as this. I have been doing lots of training to prepare and various friends and fellow cyclists will be joining me at various stages of the ride.”

It is not the first time Eddie, who turned 60 in March, has raised funds for us as 20 years ago, he took on the Three Peaks Challenge with friends.

Eddie added: “I am just really looking forward to the Eddie and Sally LEJOG challenge. I want to raise as much as I can to help Rainbows and I am also looking forward to cycling through some stunning places. I really want to enjoy it.”

Nicola Richardson, Rainbows Community Fundraiser, thanked Eddie and Sally for their support. She said: “At Rainbows, we support around 750 babies, children and young people – including many from Derbyshire. Because of Tom, Eddie and Sally know how important our work is and what it means to the families we support. We hope that people will kindly back them in their challenge.”

To sponsor Eddie, visit justgiving.com/page/eddie-stanley-1708613676902