Salisbury cyclist part of team riding from Rome to London for Cancer Research

Their motto is ‘ordinary people doing extraordinary things’, and when a group of amateur cyclists from the South set off from Rome to London in aid of Cancer Research UK, they certainly experienced an extraordinary send-off. 

Before settling into their saddles at The Vatican ahead of their perilous 2,384km journey dubbed ‘The Italian Job’, the team took a pew to receive a personal blessing from none other than His Holiness - the Pope.

The group of fundraisers who call themselves, ‘Inspired Living’, were congratulated on their efforts to reach a £500,000 fundraising target for life-saving research and were thrilled at the Holy Father’s reaction to a special, personalised keepsake.

Over 17 days, a total of 28 riders and six support crew whose lives have been touched by cancer, will cover six countries and climb 27,490m. People can sponsor their fundraising efforts at The Italian Job.

The Inspired Living team, aged 21 to 74 years, are no strangers to this type of challenge or the cause. They’ve already raised £370,000 over six previous rides, reaching destinations including Gibraltar, Venice, Monte Carlo, Rome and Barcelona.

Tim Stevens, 63, from Salisbury, has played a huge part in Inspired Living’s commitment to beating cancer since the very beginning. The former construction business owner only used to cycle around 25 miles a week before he was involved in the challenge to raise money for research into over 200 types of cancer.

Tim, who has been married to wife, Heather, for 42 years, said: “I remember doing the first ride with some trepidation and wondering if I could actually do it, but the morale amongst the group was fantastic.

“Heather is my inspiration, though, because she has been living with secondary breast cancer for eight years and remains so positive. Her cancer is driven by the hormone, oestrogen, so she takes a drug called Letrozole to lower the hormone levels and try to stop the growth of her cancer.

“In the last few years, she’s seen the birth of two grandchildren, and that’s thanks to the availability of this drug that’s managing her cancer effectively.

“Cancer Research UK played a part in developing this particular type of hormone therapy and it’s this kind of progress that we need to continue funding. People like us doing challenges like this can provide the funds to help save the next life and enable others to live with cancer.”

Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the South, Elisa Mitchell, said: “We’ve been at the heart of the progress that has already seen cancer survival in the UK double in the last 50 years, but we’re not stopping now. Incredible supporters like Inspired Living are helping us to go further and faster in the fight against the disease. By raising money for vital research, they are bringing hope to people affected by cancer in the South and across the UK.   

“The Italian Job has taken months of preparation in both the route-planning and the physical training required to complete such a gruelling challenge. We are delighted that the team’s ongoing efforts have been recognised by Pope Francis and thank His Holiness for his blessing as they begin their journey back to the UK. 

Cancer Research UK is working towards a world where everybody can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. The charity’s discoveries and breakthroughs have saved countless lives, from the research that led to the development of the HPV vaccine to playing a role in around half of the world’s essential cancer drugs.     

To fundraise for life-saving research visit cruk.org or call 0300 123 1022. 

Feature Image: Vatican Media