Two brothers from Thanet are once again peddling away for this year’s Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge on May 6, hoping to equal or build on the £1,000 total they raised last year.
David and Lewis Morgan will take on the challenge this year but youngest brother Kris is unable to take part.
Last year all three siblings entered the ride as Team Morgan. Their motivation came from their father, Dave Morgan, who watched them sail across the finish line.
Dave, from Ramsgate, was initially diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2010, then had an operation that left him with several health problems.
David said: “He never complained about anything and always had a smile on his face.
“He’d spent a few spells in the hospice when he had an acute pain flare-up and was always happy to see the staff, as they were always happy to see him. Dad was cheeky!”
Dave went to Pilgrims Hospice Thanet for pain relief in November 2017. Due to complications, he didn’t return home and passed away on December 2.
David said: “The staff at the Margate hospice are exemplary. We were allowed to stay night and day, and we were always offered food and drinks. They were always willing to help and nothing was too much trouble.
“Shortly after Dad passed, my mum flew to Scotland to be with our aunt Diane who had ovarian cancer. She was also in a hospice and the staff were amazing there, too.
“My family lost Dad and Diane in the space of nine days. They were both treated with dignity and respect by all hospice staff. As a family we cannot ever repay their kindness and support at such a tragic time.”
The challenge
As a demonstration of appreciation and support for Pilgrims, Team Morgan have chosen to sign up for Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge 2018 and are on the road to raising more than £500.
David said: “At my father’s funeral two of his work colleagues said they wanted to take part in the challenge, as did two of my school friends who had known Dad growing up. He had more than 150 people at his funeral – it was amazing. With donations on the day, £730 was raised for Pilgrims.”
The brothers want to continue cycling to raise more money. David added: “As my youngest brother is unable to take part this year, I’m sure this means we’ll all be doing it again next year!”
If you’d like to take part in this year’s Cycle Challenge visit www.pilgrimscyclechallenge.org to find out more and sign up. Pre-event registration closes today (April 29) but you still register on the day of the event.
Contact [email protected] for information.