Essex man raises over £1000 for charity cycling from Chelmsford to Edinburgh
He was inspired after losing his mum
A man from Essex has raised over £1000 for a local cancer charity by cycling nearly 450 miles from Chelmsford to Edinburgh.
Takashi Ikeda, a 30 year old IT Consultant from Chelmsford, decided to undertake the challenge after losing his mum in 2018 to brain damage caused by diabetes: "She was cheerful, made people laugh and pulled people together, so my life without her is very difficult.
"She was like the sun in the solar system for me - imagine how humans, animals and plants could survive without the sun? That is how I felt.
"Her loss made me realise that I’d like to contribute to this world and the wellbeing of people, by spreading the message to as many people as I can that illnesses such as cancer, diabetes or stroke can kill anyone you love. For illnesses, prevention, early detection and treatment is vital. It all requires awareness."
He says it was not a difficult decision to raise money for the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity, which supports people living with the disease: "My father-in-law, Rick, already volunteered for the charity and I lost my Aunt due to cancer when I was a child so it was an easy decision.
"I initially took part in their Ride for Helen cycling event in May this year. I enjoyed it so much it inspired me to go on this trip to Edinburgh."
Takashi cycled alone for eight days covering 448 miles (720 km). He says it was a tough challenge, but that the thought of raising money for charity kept him going: "I only prepared for one month before the trip... so I don't think I was that physically fit at the time, but I knew I had to do it to contribute to this charity and help people living with cancer.
"There was a moment during the trip when I didn't want to wake up or get up out of bed, but I just reminded myself: 'Takashi, you're doing it for people with cancer and for the charity, you need to get up'. It gave me a reason to keep going."
He enjoyed some spectacular views during his cycling: "I stopped at Peterborough, Nottingham, Kirkburton, Ingleton, Penrith, Carlisle, Hawick and Edinburgh. There were so many highlights of this cycling challenge; the views from the top of the hills in the Yorkshire Dales are unforgettable!
"People even cheered me on from their houses, cars and the pavement as I was cycling up the hills. I felt a great sense of accomplishment, pleasure and contentment that I hadn’t felt for a very long time.”
Takashi has now raised over £1000 for the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity - more than he had imagined, or ever hoped for: "I didn't expect that at all. I thought people would donate maybe £5, but some people began donating £50 and £100...
"It just that reminded me how generous, nice and kind people can be."
Helen Rollason Cancer Charity Head of Marketing and Fundraising Zoe Jay said; “What an incredible accomplishment for Takashi! We are so grateful for his support and raising over £1,000 which will go towards supporting those living with cancer.
"This donation alone will fund 20 counselling appointments or 20 reflexology sessions for our clients."