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A man cycled 155 miles in a single day around Kent to raise money for a good cause – the equivalent of pedalling from Sittingbourne to Wales.
Dave Wastall, from Iwade, near Sittingbourne, spent eight hours doing laps of the countryside as part of the gruelling challenge, in memory of his parents.
He was raising money for Penny Brohn UK after being inspired by witnessing the charity’s work first-hand.
The 41-year-old got to know the organisation through his job as a clinical imaging systems administrator at GenesisCare, a provider of private cancer care in the UK.
Dave said: “I always try and support any cancer charities. Both my parents died of cancer – my mum developed bowel cancer and passed in 2005 and my dad developed mesothelioma from asbestosis and passed in 2010. With it being 10 and 15 years since their passings, I thought I’d do a sponsored event to raise some money in their memory.”
He added: “I became aware of Penny Brohn UK as it is GenesisCare’s charity partner and together they help patients’ wellbeing all the way from diagnosis until aftercare.”
Dave, who is still fundraising for the cause, completed the solo challenge by doing a rural circuit near where he lives.
The eight-hour challenge started at 6am, when he set off from his home, and he finished the 155th mile at about 3pm.
Dave’s three-lap route went from Iwade to Rainham, along the lanes, up and over Boxley Hill, along the Pilgrims Way and part of the A20, then turned to climb Charing Hill, continued onto Challock and back towards Iwade via Faversham along the Lower Road. It was the longest distance he had ever completed in a single day and is the equivalent of cycling the length of Kent three times.
The father-of-two said the challenge was harder than he thought it would be, but said it was the thought of the sponsorship money that kept him going.
Dave was set to participate in the London Revolution Ultra ride in May but, like many events, it was cancelled due to coronavirus.
He was determined to cycle the same distance so he could still claim the promised sponsorship money for Penny Brohn UK.
His sponsors honoured his original fundraising target of £450 and he was able to raise a further £520 with his novel ride, bringing the total, so far, to £970.
The money will help Penny Brohn UK fund the physical, emotional and spiritual support that it provides for patients undergoing chemo and radiotherapy.
