Tom on bike challenge team that raised £60k
ASTOCKPORT man joined a Coronation Street star on a London to Paris charity bike ride.
Tom Allen, 24, from Cheadle, and actress Sally Dynevor who plays Sally Metcalfe in the ITV soap, took on the mammoth 320mile challenge for Manchester-based charity, Prevent Breast Cancer.
The organisation is the UK’s only charity entirely dedicated to the prediction and prevention of breast cancer.
Sally is a long-standing patron of Prevent Breast Cancer and was joined by her husband Tim, as well as 32 other supporters, on the journey.
Tom, Sally and Tim, along with Prevent Breast Cancer’s executive director, Nikki Barraclough, were cycling in memory of the late actress Morag Siller, who was a strong supporter and patron of Prevent Breast Cancer following her diagnosis of the disease.
Sadly, Morag lost her battle in April this year.
The first leg of the challenge, which raised an incredible £60,000, saw the team ride to Dover, where they boarded the ferry to Calais. Once in France, they tackled the demanding hills of the countryside and cycled through the Somme, before enjoying a Champagne finish at the Eiffel Tower.
Sally said: “I’ve been involved with Prevent Breast Cancer for a long time now and it’s a very important charity to me, so I just had to join them on the London to Paris challenge. While parts were certainly tough going, I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I’m thrilled with the amount raised and proud to have helped fund research that will one day mean no one has to face the same battle Morag did.”
Nikki Barraclough, executive director at Prevent Breast Cancer, said: “We were overjoyed to have Sally join us on the bike ride and are incredibly grateful to all those who sponsored us. The experience was incredibly life-affirming, which is particularly poignant with us having cycled in memory of our friend, Morag. It was the perfect way to remember her while raising much-needed funds for the charity.
“Prevent Breast Cancer relies solely on donations, so fundraising activities like these are vital if we’re to continue with our groundbreaking research and protect the next generation.”
To donate, visit preventbreastcancer.org.uk/ donate/formorag.