Hopes high for return of charity ride
A CANCER charity says there’s “light at the end of the tunnel” as it prepares to stage the Great North Bike Ride for the 20th time - after losing thousands of pounds during the pandemic.
Last year’s event, the biggest fundraiser for the Chris Lucas Trust, had to be cancelled because of the coronavirus crisis, and like other charities across the country the trust saw a drop in funds.
The Trust, which pays for research into childhood cancer, was started in memory of Wallsend teenager Chris Lucas, who died of rhabdomyosarcoma at the age of 18 in July 2000.
More than 1,000 people normally take part in the 60-mile bike ride from Seahouses to Tynemouth, and last year’s would have marked the 20th anniversary of the event.
However Chris’ parents, who organise the ride, had to cancel it. Due to the pandemic, the charity lost out on £120,000 and had to donate a smaller amount to The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR).
But now, after Boris Johnson confirmed hopes of removing restrictions on social contact by the end of June, a date has been set for the 2021 Great North Bike Ride - August 29.
It is hoped that cyclists will sign up for the ride and help to raise as much money as possible for the charity, which has so far raised over £2.5m for
research.
Lynn Lucas, Chris’ mum, 63, said: “The charity took a huge hit last year. We lost £120,000 and we could only give the researchers half of what they normally get from us.
“The team still needs support to carry out their work on childhood cancer and better treatments to help young people live longer. The pandemic is still going on but so is cancer.
“The bike ride is our biggest event and it raises around £100,000 for the charity. But Covid-19 hit the charity hard.
“Now we can see light at the end of the tunnel and we will mark the 20th anniversary of the event this year. From what Boris Johnson has said, it looks like life should be back to normal by then.
“We have set a date of August 29 and we are keeping everything crossed. People have already started signing up. If, God forbid, things go wrong again, then we will give everyone a refund.”
Before being diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in July 1997, Chris was a strong 15-year-old boy who played rugby, cricket and basketball.
He twice battled back from the disease, passed his GCSEs and started a career in graphic design. However he lost his fight for life after three years.
Lynn, whose son David, 36, and her two grandchildren Jacob, three, and Tilly, two, live in London, says she still thinks about Chris every day.
“Not a day goes by when I don’t think about Chris,” said Lynn. When I look at my grandson Jacob, I tell everyone he is the double of Chris. David is his dad but I think he looks like Chris.
“It’s hard, you think of all the ‘what ifs.’ He would have been 38 years old now. He would have been a lovely uncle and would have been David’s best man at his wedding. I’m a mum and I can’t help feeling like that.
“That anger still comes in at times and I think ‘why me?.’ I think of him every day but I also want to do everything I can to help other children who may be suffering from cancer. That is why this research is vital.”
For more information about the charity or to register for the bike ride go to https://greatnorthbikeride.com/