Thameslink drivers take on 100-mile cycling challenge to support cancer charity

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) staff will be taking on a cycling challenge on Sunday 12 May to raise money and awareness for blood cancer charity Bloodwise, in memory of a Thameslink driver-trainer.

Thirteen members of train drivers and staff from Thameslink’s Bedford traincrew depot have organised a 100-mile cycle ride around the countryside of Bedfordshire in honour of train driver Kev Severs, who died from leukaemia in February last year.

The team’s circular route starts at the depot where Kev worked and will take in Bedford town centre, detour past his house, before heading out to Harold, Cranfield, Lidlington Hill, Biggleswade and Clapham village.

Sarah Breed, Local Operations Manager at GTR who is taking part in the ride, said: “All the cyclists involved in the ride worked with Kev. He took great pride in his work and was a very successful driver-trainer. He always made time to listen if you had a problem or worry; his smile was infectious, and he had a funny story for every situation.”

Training for the event has ramped up in recent weeks. Sarah added: “I am a keen cyclist, having completed the London to Brighton bike ride twice, so I am feeling well prepared. I’ve been training for the ride over the last six months.

“I have now built up to completing a couple of 50-mile rides over recent weekends. I'm confident I'll be ready and will make sure I'm stocked up with Deep Heat and the team’s secret weapon, Gummie Bears, to keep energy levels up during and after the ride!”

Nicci Wilson, Regional Relationships Manager at Bloodwise, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the team at Govia Thameslink Railway and everyone who is supporting them on this gruelling cycling challenge. We’d like to wish them the best of luck.

“It’s thanks to inspirational fundraisers like these that we can continue to fund research into more effective treatments for blood cancers and provide information and support for patients and their families when they need it most. One in 19 people will be diagnosed with a blood cancer in their lifetime and it is the UK’s third biggest cancer killer.”

Katherine Cox, GTR’s Community Social Responsibility Manager said: “We’re really proud to support our staff coming together for charitable activities. This is a very personal challenge for the team, in memory of a valued member of the company, with Bloodwise a very worthwhile cause.”

Anybody wishing to support the team can donate at www.love2donate.co.uk/listen100

The team of GTR cyclists taking part are: Sean Reedman, Mark Gauge, Jerry Rollinson, Ian Johnson, Dave Farrer, John Ingham, Neil Armstrong, Andy Relton, John Glover, Dawn Stewart, Sarah Breed, John Reid and Keith Gray.

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