East Grinstead resident George Southgate will be leading a group of cyclists on a 600-mile journey from Berlin to London to support cancer patients and those who’ve lost loved ones to the disease.
After his dad died of bowel cancer, he is turning the pedals to raise vital funds for The Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR) – the world-leading research institute and charity.
Insurance Underwriter, George, 28,is taking on the challenge in memory of his dad, Mike, who died in January 2022, aged 59.
Mike was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in April 2020. He had treatment for almost two years and tackled his cancer head on, maintaining positivity, optimism and humour throughout.
His selfless attitude towards life and others has inspired George to complete an extraordinary fundraising challenge to keep his legacy alive.
George says:
“In the final stages of my dad’s illness and after trying a variety of harsh treatments, he wanted to take part in a clinical trial. He knew there was little chance it would improve his own prognosis but instead could help clinicians gain greater understanding into bowel cancer and the specific mutations present during his illness. Unfortunately, he was too ill to participate in it, but his attitude towards furthering research and the belief that this could improve the outlook for many bowel cancer patients is what has driven me to support The Institute of Cancer Research.”
George is no stranger to a challenge. In June 2022, he raised more than £18,000 to support the ICR’s research when he, along with three others, cycled from London to Paris in memory of his dad. He’s now preparing to get back on his bike to raise even more.
This time, from 5 to 10 July, he will be cycling from Berlin to London, through Germany and across the Netherlands, then travelling by ferry to the UK before finishing his journey outside the ICR’s labs in Chelsea. Passing through rural countryside, small towns and villages, he plans to travel about 100 miles a day.
George has recruited 26 adventurers to join him on his expedition, including many of his colleagues from the insurance industry to honour Mike’s 40-year career in this sector. George’s cousin Ben, who lost his mother to breast cancer in 2023, will also be taking part in the cycle ride. The family knows only too well the devastation caused by cancer. George’s
grandfather died in 2018 after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia and his uncle died aged 47 from osteosarcoma.
George says:
“Seeing the impact of their illnesses on each of them and their deaths on my family has been very difficult. But knowing there will be more families in the same situation, directly raising funds for research feels like a positive, tangible step in the face of something so negative. Ultimately this challenge is just my small way of trying to help reduce the number of individuals suffering with cancer and the families who are broken apart by it.”
Many of those taking part in George’s ride are not experienced cyclists – just people who are prepared to take on some significant training. His intention is to bring together cyclists and non-cyclists in an exciting but difficult challenge, creating a chance for those who have been affected by cancer in some way to come together and make a positive difference.
As he pedals the route, there is no doubt that his dad will be at the forefront of George’s mind, inspiring him to keep going and pushing forward to the finish line:
“When my dad was diagnosed with cancer, the outlook was devastating from the start –he was told he had only weeks to live. Nevertheless, through treatment, along with determination and undoubtedly some luck, he went on to live for almost two more years. In hindsight, this alone is testament to the man he was, and his ability to withstand an overwhelmingly difficult situation, all while continuing to remain his positive, warm and loving self, optimistic that he would beat the cancer. Despite knowing he had an incurable diagnosis, his death at just 59 was a major shock, and it is still very difficult to come to terms with.
“Not a day goes by that I don’t think of my dad and how much my mum, my sister and I miss him. So, I will inevitably be thinking about him as I ride. This will no doubt spur me on, as will the thought of the many others who have died or suffered because of cancer. But I’ll also be thinking of those who have successfully won their battle with cancer, knowing that they would have benefitted from previous research and how with each mile that we cycle, we will be raising money to fund future research to benefit many more.”
George hopes to raise over £100,000 to support the ICR’s pioneering work. The charity’s current fundraising appeal focuses on driving forward new research to make bowel cancer more preventable, predictable and treatable: Help give everyone with bowel cancer the hope of a cure
Sarah Castleman, Sports and Challenge Events Manager at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said:
“Having George’s support once again is fantastic. He has already done so much in his father’s memory, and we can’t wait to celebrate with him and the team this July. Cycling 600 miles over 6 days from Berlin to London will be tough, but we know the whole group is incredibly passionate and motivated to make the biggest impact in memory of Mike.
“I feel honoured to be joining them for the final 90 miles on day 6 into London and I can’t wait to cross the finish line at the ICR’s Chester Beatty Laboratories alongside them. Every pound raised helps drive our research forward, and every mile brings us closer to a future where cancer can be defeated.”
To support George and raise funds for the ICR’s vital research, visit: George’s fundraising page
