Alex Green's Cycling Challenge

Friday, 14 June 2013

ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME AS NOVICE CYCLIST SETS OFF ON CHARITY RIDE

A GRATEFUL husband is cycling to Rome to raise cash for a cancer charity which helps his wife.

Alex Green, from Knightswood, Glasgow today set off on the gruelling 1180-mile trip to raise money for Cancer Support Scotland.

As part of a group of six, Alex will cycle the Via Francigena pilgrim route from Canterbury to France, Switzerland and then on to Italy.

The route will see the group pedal 7000ft up through the Alps, to cross the Grand St Bernard Pass.

Having started cycling only 18 months ago, Alex, 52, said he is filled with mixed emotions about the eight-day trip but will be spurred on at the prospect of raising money for a very worthy cause.

Alex's wife Anne, 52, who suffers from ME, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007.

She underwent an operation followed by chemo and radiotherapy to fight off the cancer.

As a side effect of the treatment she has been left with nerve pain called fibromyalgia.

But regular massages, provided by Cancer Support Scotland at its Calman Cancer Support Centre at the Gartnavel, help to relieve the pain.

Alex, a planner at BAE Systems in Scoutstoun, has already raised £1400 but hopes to meet reach target of £3000.

He said: "Initially I planned to do the challenge for myself but when I mentioned it to people they all said I should be doing it for a charity.

"Sometimes I think I might be mad, to take this on as my first challenge but I am also exited about it.

The Via Francigena was first walked by St Augustine in 598, when he went to Rome to receive his seal of office as the first Archbishop of Canterbury.

To sponsor Alex visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com and search for Alex Green.

Evening Times, 14/06/13
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/all-roads-lead-to-rome-as-novice-cyclist-sets-off-on-charity-ride-127315n.21331088