Marlow Red Kite Ride – supporting the Cyclists Fighting Cancer charity

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marlow red kite ride logoThe Marlow Red Kite Ride last year raised £5,000 supporting Cyclists Fighting Cancer (www.cyclistsfc.org.uk) , and the same charity will, for the second year running, be the beneficiary of profits from this year’s event.

The bike ride, organised by local club Marlow Riders will be held on Sunday September 6th and offers riders a choice of four routes over the Chilterns and Thames Valley with a 50, 80 and 100 mile event plus the new 126 mile route.

The event has sold out all three years to date, so capacity this year is being increased to 700.  The entry fee remains at £25, and for more details and entry: marlowredkiteride.co.uk

Cyclists Fighting Cancer charity

The bike ride is a deservedly popular and worthwhile event due to the fabulous routes through stunning Chilterns countryside, but it is also worth considering how all of those participants in the Marlow Red Kite Ride are helping others through the Sportive’s charitable donations.  Below is a poignant illustration of this:

The Dunwoody family
The Dunwoody family at the 2012 Olympic Games

On the face of it the Dunwoody family, from Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, are an ordinary hard working happy and close knit family. Dad Dave is an Automotive Warranty Specialist, Mum Helen works as a Play Leader at an infants school. Their two children, Niamh and Liam, are school age, and their family is complete with two pet guinea pigs.

But 10 years ago, in August 2005, their world was turned upside down when three year-old Niamh Dunwoody was rushed to hospital having been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

“We knew that something wasn’t right beforehand,” said Helen. “it turned out that the tumour was the size of a golf ball.”

“We recognised that she had some problems with her balance. She just kept bumping into things,” added Dave.

“Initially it was mis-diagnosed and it wasn’t until she had a cat scan that the tumour was revealed. Suddenly Niamh was taken straight to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for surgery,” said Helen.

The surgery removed the initial tumour but Niamh had lost her speech and her ability to walk. She would have to learn critical life skills all over again.

Four sessions of chemotherapy and 31 sessions of radiotherapy followed over a six month period, in order to stop the cancer spreading.

naimh trike aged 9
Nine year-old Niamh with her first trike from Cyclists Fighting Cancer

Worse was to follow. The treatment had severely reduced her immune system so she had to be kept away from all possible infections. But on one of the visits to hospital Niamh contracted an infection which left her very poorly. “I clearly remember. It was near Christmas and it was a very difficult time,” Helen added.

But it was to be the turning point in her recovery, a recovery that is ongoing as she continues to fight the effects of such a trauma at a young age.

Niamh is now 13 and a happy and confident child, but due to the area of the tumour she still has coordination and balance problems and goes to a special needs school in nearby Beaconsfield. “She never complains. She just accepts everything. She never asks why she doesn’t have any hair – in fact she wants to become a hairdresser! “added Helen.

Recovery sometimes has seemed painfully slow but one of the big steps Niamh took was when she was nine and received a gift from the charity Cyclists Fighting Cancer. The gift was a specially adapted tricycle. Niamh loved it and it suddenly became a gift of a new found freedom.

Naimh trike
Niamh with her new trike, aged 13

“We couldn’t believe it when we got the call. Mike from the charity came down with it. It was so special to see our little child going up and down the road on her first bike, said Helen.

“Now, suddenly she had some independence. She had confidence. It helped her from a physical point of view.”

Mike Grisenthwaite is the founder and CEO of Cyclists Fighting Cancer, a charity dedicated to helping children and young people across the UK whose lives have been affected by cancer by providing specially adapted bikes and tricycles. He said: “Niamh couldn’t wait to get going as soon as we arrived. It’s rewarding to see the simple effect of what a difference it can make to children’s lives.

“We’ve now delivered 2,500 of these bikes or trikes and they do make a difference. Hundreds of studies have shown the numerous benefits cancer survivors receive from exercising. Rest is not best in most cases.”

Niamh eventually outgrew her beloved trike. But due to the efforts of all those who entered last year’s Marlow Red Kite Ride, earlier this year she was able to receive a new larger trike from Cyclists Fighting Cancer.

It has allowed the family to plan for summer trips to parks and quieter roads where Niamh can continue to build her strength and fitness.

Helen added: “We’re so grateful to everyone who entered last year’s Red Kite Ride and for supporting this wonderful charity and we hope that other little children will be able to benefit from the efforts of this year’s event.”

Article author: Paul Merchant

About the author: Founded MyMarlow.co.uk in its original version back in 2000 - yes the internet DID exist back then. Brought up in Marlow, went to school here, now has children at the same schools. Quite clearly loves all things Marlow - hence spending over 2 decades doing this!

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