Dad and daughter’s 274-mile tandem cycle

Brain Tumour Research

1 min read

05 August 2021

A father-daughter duo are preparing for an epic tandem cycling challenge to help find a cure for brain tumours.

Professor Philip Howard OBE and his daughter Abby will set off on Monday 16^th August to cycle from Leeds to Bristol along the eastern John O’Groats to Lands End (JoGLE) route on a bicycle made for two. They are aiming to complete their challenge in just five days.

They were inspired to join our Cycle 274 Miles in August Challenge after Philip’s cousin Graham Green lost his life to a grade 4 glioma last year, aged 67. Philip describes Graham as “the funniest and most generous person you would ever meet.”

He said: “Abby is the family’s best cyclist. She did a 1,300-mile unsupported, wild camping charity ride from Bristol to Poland, to raise money to build a sensory room for adults with learning disabilities – something that can affect many brain tumour survivors. This will be our first long distance tandem tour and although it will be really challenging, I’m very much looking forward to it.”

Abby, who is about to start a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy at Cardiff University, said: “Sensory support and rehabilitation is closely linked with brain tumour recovery and is something I am passionate about. Often people who survive brain tumours are left with learning difficulties and can face challenges in regaining motor function, relying on specialist intervention and rehabilitation. When Dad told me he was planning to undertake the cycling challenge, I felt compelled to get involved to support such a worthy cause so close to my own charity work and interests.”

Philip and Abby have also been helping to raise awareness and their story has been featured in the Yorkshire Post and Portsmouth News.

To help them reach their £1,500 fundraising target, please donate via their Facebook fundraiser.