Oxfordshire prostate cancer awareness campaigner takes on cycle challenge
Simon Lord lives near Wallingford and was diagnosed with prostate cancer 14 years ago.
Last updated 16th Jul 2024
Simon Lord who lives near Wallingford, Oxfordshire will be taking on a big cycling challenge on his 65th birthday, 17th July 2024, as he attempts to cycle non-stop within 24 hours (apart from two ferry crossings) from Trafalgar Square in London to Amsterdam via Dover-Calais.
Leaving Trafalgar Square as the nearby Big Ben strikes midnight, Simon hopes to cover the entire distance by midnight on the same day.
Simon was diagnosed with prostate cancer 14 years ago and in the time since his successful surgery he has trained and is now working as a specialist personal trainer with an additional qualification in cancer rehabilitation.
He's put in over 2,500 miles (4,000km) on his bike since the start of the year in his preparation for the event. He has ridden up to 160 miles in a day to ensure that he has the endurance to deal with the 275 miles (440 km) ride which will see him cycling from England, through Northern France, past Bruges in Belgium and then skirting Rotterdam in the Netherlands en route to the Dutch capital.
Simon is raising funds for The Urology Foundation, a small specialist charity supporting research and training in the field of urology, and MOVE Charity that supports exercise for cancer patients to assist them with recovery from the effects of cancer treatments.
He's also been campaigning for greater awareness of prostate cancer since his treatment.
Netty Kinsella, Nurse Consultant at The RoyaI Marsden, London said:
“I had the privilege of meeting Simon as his Nurse Specialist. After powering through rehab he has gone on to support and inspire people living with and after cancer for over a decade.
"He has proved a passionate ambassador for improving cancer services for patients both locally and nationally, working tirelessly with charities to campaign for more specialist nurse posts and to provide funding for educational opportunities for healthcare professionals working in cancer care.
Beyond this he has made an impressive personal journey to train as a cancer rehab specialist to empower other cancer survivors to live their best lives."