Stephen rides length of country for kidney charity
A MOTORCYCLIST from Earl Shilton rode from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise funds for research into kidneyrelated diseases.
Over six days Stephen Goss clocked up 2,017 miles, an average of 336 miles a day.
Last month he rode from Earl Shilton to Land’s End and up to John O’Groats then back home, all via the scenic route.
The cause raised more than £700 so far, with more donations expected.
Stephen dubbed the charity ride ‘Route 65’ as it coincided with his 65th birthday.
In 2014 Stephen’s wife Colleen was unexpectedly diagnosed with kidney failure.
She had to have peritoneal dialysis four times a day, and eventually had a transplant from her brother. Stephen said: “We adapted to this as something that had to be done, but inevitably it had a massive impact on our lives.
“She was lucky in having a close relative willing to donate their kidney, knowing the amount of people waiting for a donated organ.”
Stephen wanted to say thank you to all those who helped his wife in her time of need, and so decided to do the bike ride.
He said: “I thought that I might use this opportunity to raise money for and promote Kidney Research UK in the valuable, life-changing work they support.
“We have experienced first hand the care and expertise of the renal unit at Leicester General Hospital and offer them our continued gratitude.”
Therapy Station Limited on Wheatfield Way in Hinckley supported the cause, where Stephen works as a counsellor.
He hopes to raise £1,000 for Kidney Research UK.
He added: “The whole experience has really brought the subject of kidney disease to me on a personal level.”
You can make a donation to Stephen’s cause by searching for ‘Steve’s Route 65’ on the JustGiving website.