Motorbike trip for early diagnosis awareness
Donation protected
In September 2017, two short, bald, northern men, Martin and Lucky, headed out on their monkey bikes to ride the length of the country from top to bottom.
This September 2023, Martin will ride this trip again, only this time it's on Lucky's bike as he's no longer around to join the adventure...
This is the story of Lucky's JOGLE.
Lucky and Martin worked and adventure travelled together. They drove an LDV across the desert to Gambia, the monkey bikes the length of the UK, and motorbike'd to Nordkapp (the most northerly part of mainland Europe).
Although Lucky knew something was wrong for a long time he "didn’t want the bad news", but eventually went to the Dr in July 2022, had an operation in Oct/Nov 2022 and after being cared for by his good friend John, finally received end of life care at Alice House Hospice in Hartlepool and passed away in February 2023.
Originally on hearing the diagnosis Martin and Lucky were hoping to do this one last trip together, however it quickly became clear they had less time together than they had hoped.
Before he passed away, Lucky gifted Martin his 'Nordkapp destroyer' (the Honda Silverwing that he had ridden beyond the Arctic circle) and Martin planned to repeat the JOGLE (John O'Groats to Land's End) trip, 2-up with his partner Kate in memory of Lucky.
Leaving John O'Groats, the northern most point of Great Britain on September 3rd, 2023 Martin will be joined by a motley crew of motorbikes who plan to travel through Scotland and England, camping for 6 days along the route until they reach Lands End.
When talking to friends and family about the trip, we quickly realised that others wanted to come along too. The group is now made up of 10 riders and will serve as a secondary memorial for Lucky, as most of his truck driver colleagues were unable to attend his funeral due to being out working.
Along the way we want to use this opportunity to raise awareness for the importance of early diagnosis in cancer treatment.
Our motley crew is made up of friends, family and colleagues who want to remember Lucky (Stuart Luck), as well as family members of Martin and his partner Kate who have their own stories to tell.
Martin's brother is currently undergoing treatment and Kate's dad is thankfully in remission from cancer and wanted to join the trip to mark the importance of early diagnosis.
This trip is a chance for us all to give thanks for the extra time we have been given with our loved ones, and to sit with the memories of the fathers and brothers, mothers and daughters who have had their time cut short.
We hope that with this trip we can raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis in treatment for cancer and other illnesses, as well as fundraise for the hospice that cared for our friend.
All the funds from this fundraiser will be split between Cancer Research UK 'Early Cancer Diagnosis' department and Alice House Hospice in Hartlepool where Lucky received treatment and end of life care.
Please give if you can, but most importantly, we want to spread awareness and help to remove some of the stigma around getting symptoms seen to as early as possible.
Go get that 'thing' checked, be persistent, speak to your loved ones, whilst you still can.
1 in 2 people in the UK born after 1960 will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime.
We know the importance of appreciating each day we have on this earth.
Some loved ones have been lost too soon, and by raising the awareness for not only cancer treatment but for any symptoms that can lead to life changing illnesses we are hoping to remove some of the stigma and awkwardness attached to (men especially) attending the doctor's at first sign of symptoms.
Who knows how many adventures have been missed by not seeking diagnosis sooner.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kate Powell
Organizer
England
Robert Powell
Beneficiary