Grace's Racers
Ian is a doting dad to three year old Grace, who was diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma in 2019. With a team of eight family and friends, Ian is cycling 100 miles to raise money for Neuroblastoma UK.
Meet Grace’s Racers
Keen cyclist Ian is taking on 100 miles for his daughter Grace
Keen cyclist Ian and a team of eight family and friends (ranging in age from 37 to 72!) known as Grace's Racers, were due to take part in the Prudential RideLondon this year and raise money for Neuroblastoma UK. Sadly, along with many other fundraising events, Ride London has now been cancelled.
But the team "of big hearted and distinctly average cyclists" from across Leicestershire, Wakefield, Leeds, Chester, Hampshire and Cornwall are all hoping that they can cycle together to complete their own Tour de Grace in August.
If not, they will all cycle 100 miles solo - not so easy to do without the cheering crowds of a mass event!
All of Ian's training has been in the shed on the turbo trainer, but he enjoyed his first lockdown bike ride outdoors since March earlier this month. Despite not being able to meet up to train or fundraise, incredibly the team have so far raised £3,774 of their £5,000 target!
“Please donate what you can afford to Neuroblastoma UK so Grace and others like her have a better chance of growing up and living the life they deserve.”
Giving Grace a better chance
Grace has finished treatment and is doing really well
Ian and his wife Suzanne have been by Grace’s side throughout treatment which included induction chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, a stem cell transplant, high dose chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Grace has now finished her treatment and had her end-of-treatment scans so the results will soon be available to discuss with Grace’s Consultants. She is doing really well.
During lockdown, Ian has been shielding Grace in accordance with the coronavirus guidance published by the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group. But they've been having lots of fun, including gardening, building a new garden play house and playing Paw Patrol!
Ian said, "Grace is looking great and is such a joyous little girl. Her hair has grown back and so have her little cheeks! She is looking healthier and more grown up every day. We are looking forward to a meeting with Grace’s Consultant’s any day now to discuss the outcome of her treatment. We are confident that we will have a happy and trouble free summer!
“Grace's Racers promise to do everything they can to complete the 100 miles either at a social distance or all together depending on the national guidance in August! In return please, please donate what you can afford to Neuroblastoma UK so Grace and others like her have a better chance of growing up and living the life they deserve."
