Friends cycle across three countries in memory of colleague

Brain Tumour Research

2 min read

Almost a dozen cyclists pedalled from London to Belgium, in memory of a midwife who died of a glioblastoma (GBM) in October 2023.

Emma Elliot, 49, was diagnosed in 2021 after developing tinnitus and vertigo. She had been a midwife and health visitor at Bedford Hospital, and left behind a husband, John, her children, Harry and Beth, and her grandchildren, Elsie and Freddie.

The cycling fundraiser was arranged by another midwife, Melanie Smith, at Milton Keynes General Hospital. Although Melanie did not meet Emma in person, she knew of her diagnosis through mutual friends and colleagues.

Melanie said: “Although I never met Emma, I followed her diagnosis closely and felt compelled to do something to show my support for her. We finished our cycle in Bruges with her family and friends holding up a banner and cheering for us, which was a very emotional reunion.”

Among the 11 cyclists was Louise Dickson, who unfortunately collided with a horse shortly before the first checkpoint in Dover and could not continue with the challenge.

The remaining cyclists pedalled on, making the epic 280km (174 mile) journey, which took them from Dover across the English Channel to France, through which they cycled to their end goal of Bruges, a city in northwest Belgium.

Melanie, who overcame Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2008, said: “I only got on the bike to train for this event. It was very tough at times as I have reduced lung function due to the chemotherapy.

“Some people in the group were avid riders and, when you struggled, these people would appear by your side, spurring you on with words of encouragement. It was the best team effort, and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

The trip raised more than £11,000 for Brain Tumour Research, funding multiple days of research at our Centres of Excellence in Emma’s memory. Melanie concluded: “It’s something that we would like to do annually for Brain Tumour Research, as Emma felt passionately about the work of the Charity.”

Please consider donating to Brain Tumour Research via Melanie’s JustGiving page.