Coast to Coast Cycle ride for NF2 BioSolutions UK

Scott Bradd, Paul Hollingshead and John McCormack, with the invaluable support of driver Eddie McNellis, are cycling from Whitehaven to Tynemouth, crossing the Lake District and the Pennines.  140 miles in 5 days from Coast to Coast, over some of the steepest hills in the country, in what is likely to be cold, wet and windy weather.

We're raising money for NF2 BioSolutions UK & Europe a registered UK charity and patient led organisation looking for a cure or preventive treatment for NF2.  NF2 causes multiple tumours to grow in the central nervous system (brain & spine). Tumour growth, surgeries and current radio and chemo treatments leave patients with mobility issues, hearing and sight loss.  You can find out more about the condition and why we are trying to stop its progression impacting young lives here: https://nf2biosolutions.org/nf2-biosolutions-uk-europe/ You can also read why the charity was set up and how patients are helping themselves to find their solution.

We've been inspired to support the Charity by OLIVIA GODDARD's story.  Olivia is the same as any 22 year old, but also different in many ways.  Fun loving, happy and busy, but she also has NF2.  At the tender age of 15, she was diagnosed with four brain tumours, and underwent two life threatening operations. A complication meant another invasive surgery, leaving her bed bound on a drain for 7 days, as CSF brain fluid was leaking from her nose. A tumour on her optic nerve damaged her sight in one eye, and she has two further tumours in both ears.  If you met Olivia, you'd never guess what she's been through, or what she could face in the future.  She remains fun loving, happy and busy. Her life now includes being a Youth Ambassador for NF2 BioSolutions UK, where she helps and inspires others suffering with the same condition.  She spoke at the International conference in New York, where she said, 'I will no

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Incredible team

At the coast

Final Day route

They've done it, amazing effort and as promised they are in the North Sea!

Two pieces of breaking news!

1. Thanks to all the kind sponsorship, they have reached their goal and are going in the North Sea on arrival !

2. Eddie the support crew has been let out of the car!

Newcastle

Really close now

****News Flash****

If they can raise the remaining £150 needed to hit £4000 they are going in the North Sea when they arrive there today!

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Shout out to Eddie the support driver on our current coast to coast bike ride fundraiser. Eddie was asked if he would like to help out 8 pints down on the friends group trip to Greenock! It was an immediate yes and he has been priceless ever since. Lifting bikes, buying water, bananas and just being there looking after the cyclist. They simply couldn’t do it without him and NF2 BioSolutions can’t find a cure with any of this so a huge thanks to Eddie, the whole crew and their supporters donating, we couldn’t do it without any of you.

19 miles to go after Day 4 - doing so well

Day 4 with the mud!

Team back on track and passing local sights

Weather is cold and windy and reduced visibility

Day 4 brings technical issues - broken chain

'Midget horse' !

John

Stretching the legs

Weather improved for the afternoon, Paul, John and Scott had a 90 minute walk along a river after lunch in Alston

Morning of riding, afternoon exploring

When the ride is called off for the day as the weather has turned - as the driver what else are you going to do?

Cold and wet day, but 15.8k achieved

Altitude 1903

Smashed Hartside Summit today

A well deserved pint for the team

Huuuuge ride today

Made it and now the descent

Fuelling ahead of the Devils Climb

Which way is it Eddie?

Day 2 with loads of traffic!

Day One Part 2

Fantastic progress and they rode to the weather it seems, very cold rain set in for the final 5 minutes. Time to call it a day.

The weather is set to turn on them, so they will get more than the first day plan under their belt today

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And they're officially off, day 1 Whitehaven to Cockermouth

The team with the NF2 BioSolutions UK banner ready for the off

The offical start line!

Next leg to the start

Loaded up

Eddie

The team have started the long drive North, picking the cyclists up en-route

And here's the route from Whitehaven to Tynemouth

John McCormack

Scott Bradd

Olivia had her brain surgery during her GCSE's but is working full time now

NF2 BioSolutions UK

Ependymoma brain surgery 2015