The popular Brain Tumour Research Randonnée on the Isle of Wight takes place today (Saturday 6 July), which will see hordes of cyclists using pedal power to help find a cure.
Now in its seventh year, the event is organised by Simon Tier who lost his best friend of 30 years, Alan Neilson, to a glioblastoma (GBM) in November 2015, aged 47.
In the six months that followed, Simon tragically lost a further four friends to the disease, all aged in their early forties and late fifties.
The 56 year old from Fareham (below), who launched the first Randonnée in 2017, said: “Losing so many friends in quick succession was devastating. It has become very much a passion of mine to keep raising funds and awareness and keep flying the flag for a charity I treasure so much for the work it does. As long as I have breath in me, I will be at the Isle of Wight every year.”
Riders choose from a 68-mile clockwise route, the ‘super’ challenge covering 100 miles or the ‘ultra’ route, cycling twice around the island to complete a whopping 136 miles.
Last year, the Randonnée raised a record-breaking £19,500, whilst Simon’s personal JustGiving page, which he started after Alan was diagnosed, has now reached more than £40,000.
Louise Aubrey, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Simon’s longstanding support has been nothing short of incredible. The Randonnée gets bigger and better every year, bringing more and more money to help fund the fight against the disease.”
Good luck to all our supporters taking part in the Randonnée today!
To make a donation to Simon’s ongoing fundraising campaign, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/simon-tier
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