Cycling in memory of ‘wonderful man’ to raise awareness
A woman whose husband died from a brain tumour at the age of just 37 has held a poignant fundraising event. Sophie Oldacres’ husband Simon died in December 2016 and, as the dad of two was a keen cyclist, even managing to ride to many of his oncology appointments, she came up with a fitting tribute, Ride4simon Ireland. A dedicated team of riders covered nearly 250 kilometres of Irish countryside on August 4 and 5 – the perfect place to remember the keen cyclist who had enjoyed family holidays in Cork as a child. Sophie, who lives in Chippenham and is head of postgraduate student marketing at the University of Bath, said: “Simon was a keen cyclist, and post-diagnosis in 2013, a good cycle was his equivalent to counselling. He rode a significant distance to many of his hospital appointments, which was always recorded in the oncologist’s notes because it was so unusual. “Through high profile examples this year, brain tumours have been in the news, but still not enough is being done through research to make a breakthrough for others facing similar diagnoses to Simon. “As friends and family of Simon we know how shattering a brain tumour diagnosis is. “We really hope this ride can help to make a difference so that one day there might be real hope for others in our position. “And building on what we achieved last September with the first Ride4simon, this year we wanted to head to County Cork, a place that was so special to Simon throughout his life and a fitting venue for this challenge.” The dad of two was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in 2013, an aggressive and incurable type of brain tumour. On Sophie’s justgiving page where she has currently raised £8,500, she says: “He was a wonderful man, and we miss him more than words can say. Dear friends have also lost children, fathers, mothers, siblings and friends to this awful disease, and we want to do all we can to stop this suffering.” Tim Green, community fundraising manager for the Brain Tumour Research charity said: “We are really grateful to Sophie and the Ride4simon team for their support and awareness raising and wish them the best of luck in completing their challenge. “The money raised will help us in our mission to build a network of experts in sustainable research. “We are funding dedicated UK centres of excellence where scientists are focused on improving outcomes for patients and, ultimately, finding a cure. “For too long, brain tumours have been a neglected cancer and we cannot allow this desperate situation to continue. Sadly, less than 20 per cent of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years compared with an average of 50 per cent across all cancers.” For more go to www.justgiving. com/fundraising/ride4simon2018