Tube fed cyclist goes the extra mile for charity
A GREETLAND man has embarked on an epic socially distanced cycle ride to raise awareness and funds for a national tube feeding charity.
Gary Taylor, who has lived in Calderdale for 24 years, has relied on artificial nutrition since he had an operation to remove a benign tumour from his neck in 2016.
Gary receives ‘enteral nutrition’ in liquid form through a catheter which is inserted directly into his gastrointestinal tract.
Despite this, Gary is a keen athlete and has set himself the challenge of cycling 375 miles using Zwift bike technology in his own home. He aims to complete the challenge over five and half days, cycling from 9.00am 4.30pm.
The gruelling challenge hopes to highlight the importance of Home Artifical Nutrition Week, which is organised by the charity Patients On Intravenous & Nasogastric Nutrition Therapy (PINNT).
Gary said: “I was always planning to do an on-road bike challenge to raise awareness of PINNT during this week but my plans were completely derailed by the coronavirus outbreak!
“This is a real challenge for me as I am not a natural cyclist and for such a long challenge I need to think really carefully about my artificial nutrition and make sure that I am properly fueled. I’ve previously run a marathon to raise awareness of tube feeding and that was more within my comfort zone than this, so I’m a bit nervous but proud to take on the challenge!”
In the past, Gary has participated in the London Marathon, to paralysis in his tongue. As well as having completed the London Marathon, Gary has also completed the Yorkshire
Marathon, the Yorkshire Three Peaks and The Great North Run all while managing his nutrition on the go. He plans to undertake more challenges to raise awareness, including global marathons and a sky dive.
To donate, visit: https://bit. ly/2Zun67N
ONLINE: For more on this, visit: www.halifaxcourier.co.uk