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A team of 50 local cyclists are taking on a huge 500km bike ride from Bologna to Rome later this year to raise money for islanders with cancer.
In 2021, the cyclists rode from Lyon to Marseille over Mont Ventoux in aid of Macmillan Jersey.
Together, they raised over £150,000 which – according to Macmillan Jersey CEO, Steph Gibault – represented a third of the charity's operating costs for that year.
This year, the group are hoping to repeat their success and tackle the mountainous 515km from Bologna to Rome in September.
The team will set off from Bologna on the 25 September, and will cycle on and off until they reach Rome until the 1 October.
Fundraising has already begun and Adam Dawson, CEO of Reto Finance and one of the cyclists taking part, is hoping the team will do "at least as well, if not better" than last time.
Pictured: Adam Dawson, CEO of Reto Finance and one of the cyclists taking part.
Adam will be sharing his gruelling training regime on his JustGiving page "so people can see horrific pictures of me in lycra".
He admitted that the cycle was going to be "a bit tougher" than last time, with the route being "a bit longer and bit more hilly" – a somewhat modest understatement. On the first day alone, the team will have to climb upwards of 9000ft.
All the cyclists will be collecting donations individually, with Adam explaining that fundraising efforts range from "shaking buckets in town to corporate sponsorships".
Upcoming major fundraising events include the 'Mac100' – a 100km cycle challenge sponsored by Jackson's on 20 August – and Prosperity 24/7's annual 'Prosperity Day' on 8 September, which raised almost £6,500 for Macmillan in 2021.
Pictured: The elevation faced on the first day of the cycle.
The cycle will likely be a "thigh burner", but it is all for a worthy cause.
Adam said of the work of Macmillan: "Cancer touches us all and I think most people will have had it in their family.
"At the moment, I have a very good family friend going through treatment who I used to ride with.
"The work Macmillan do is amazing, and they do it all on a real shoestring. They have amazing people there."
Chris Clarke, CEO of Prosperity 24/7 and another member of the cycling team, had similar sentiments.
"Most people participating have been touched by cancer," he explained.
Chris' mother passed away due to lung cancer.
He added: "It's humbling. When you're doing it, you think you're going through something really unpleasant, but you have this moment of clarity when you realise it's nothing compared to those going through treatment."
Pictured: Chris Clarke, CEO of Prosperity 24/7 and a member of the cycling team.
Steph Gibaut, CEO of Macmillan Jersey, said that she the charity was "blown away" by the contributions made from 2021's cycle.
She said: "It is our biggest fundraiser by far, we couldn't continue without it."
Steph noted that the charity receives no funding from Macmillan UK, and relies entirely on donations from islanders to operate.
"We are extremely grateful," she added. "What they are doing is truly amazing. We can't thank the cyclists enough."
For more information about Macmillan Jersey, or to donate, you can click HERE.
Can keep up-to-date with Adam's training or donate to his JustGiving page HERE.
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