I’m cycling 64 miles one for every year of my dad’s life to thank Trinity Hospice
A Blackpool father-of-two will cycle 64 miles from Ambleside to Poulton this Friday in memory of his dad - raising vital funds for Trinity Hospice after the charity cared for him in his final days.
A group of six friends will take on a 64-mile charity bike ride this week in aid of Trinity Hospice inspired by the care the hospice gave to a much-loved local dad in his final days.
Thomas Jones, 36, from Poulton is leading the ride from Ambleside back to the Fylde coast - one mile for every year of his father’s life.
The bike ride will finish at The Bull, 2 Blackpool Old Road, Poulton le Fylde.
Thomas’s dad was 64 when he died on March 3 last year, just six-and-a-half weeks after the family first realised something was seriously wrong.
Thomas said: “Christmas was completely normal. We were all together as a family. Then in January he started feeling tired and lost his appetite. We thought it was just post-Christmas exhaustion.”
Within days, more worrying symptoms appeared, including confusion and extreme lethargy. After tests and scans the family received devastating news: he had stage four oesophageal cancer that had spread to his liver, spine and lungs.
Thomas said: “It was the phone call you never expect. There was no history of cancer in our family. It was a complete hammer blow.”
After four weeks in hospital and a short period at home supported by the hospice-at-home team, Thomas’s dad was admitted to Trinity Hospice on February 27. He died there five days later.
He said: “From the moment we walked through the doors, they were unbelievable. The nurses, the volunteers, the whole team at Trinity Hospice, they turned what was the worst time of our lives into the most peaceful part of the journey.
“We could just be family again, instead of carers. Nothing was too much trouble. Even now, through remembrance services and support for my mum and our children, the doors are still open.”
Thomas, who has two children aged nine and three, said the ride has given him a focus ahead of the first anniversary of his dad’s death.
He said: “I’m not an endurance athlete, but I wanted to do something out of my comfort zone - something that reflected the strength and bravery my dad showed.”
The group has already raised just under £2,000 and Thomas hopes the ride will not only boost funds but highlight the importance of supporting local hospices.
He said: “They rely so heavily on fundraising. We were lucky enough to experience how special Trinity is.
“We just want to make sure other families can have that same care when they need it most.”
A spokesperson from The Bull in Poulton on Facebook, said: “The Bull is proud to be supporting Tom’s Team on their charity bike ride.
“Come and join us at The Bull from around 5pm to cheer Tom and the team over the line as the official finish point!
“We’ll be welcoming everyone in for drinks to celebrate this huge achievement – let’s give them the cheer they deserve!”
You can donate using this link.