DAREDEVIL BUSINESSMAN REACHES NEW HEIGHTS FOR CANCER CHARITY
10 July 2009
Steve Mursell from Neston embarked on a 720 kilometre cycling challenge across the Pyrenees, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea to benefit North West Cancer Research Fund.
Starting near Biarritz, the epic journey known as the ‘Pyrenean Raid’ involved travelling through 18 cols and climbing over 11,000 metres in less than 100 hours.
North West Cancer Research Fund supports research into the fundamental causes of cancer with teams of scientists at the Universities of Liverpool, Lancaster and Bangor.
Steve, MD of the Blackberry specialists, Connection365, said: “This is the toughest thing I have ever done. I am no stranger to adventurous feats having done over 4,500 skydives, but this was a journey of epic proportions.”
After a buckled wheel on the Col d’Aubisque and a 40mph puncture on the subsequent descent, the toughest section was the Col Du Tourmalet - known for its inclusion in the Tour De France. At 2115 metres, it is a gruelling two-hour plus climb.
Steve added: “With 18 kilometres at an average gradient of 8 per cent it was not for the faint hearted, especially with 30 degrees of heat in the valley and sleet on the summit! It really makes you appreciate what the professionals, who will race this route on this year’s Tour De France, have to go through.”
Steve was alerted to the cause of NWCRF by Jon Wyles who runs the North West based self-storage company, Smart Storage, which has pledged to raise £10,000 to sponsor the charity’s Butterfly Ball in September this year.
Steve has managed to raise almost £1,000 towards the target after completing his challenge in 99.5 hours.
Anne Jackson, Chief Executive of NWCRF, said: “Steve’s challenge was fantastic and really inspiring. Support like Steve’s really helps us to investigate not only how cancer develops and spreads, but also ways of providing better diagnosis and treatment.”
The Butterfly Ball will take place at Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel in Ledsham on September 12th. Tickets are £60 each, or £550 for a table for ten. Entertainment includes a drinks reception, a three-course meal and a half-bottle of wine per person.
Since its inception in 1948, the NWCRF has given more than £27 million to support groundbreaking research. Being an entirely independent charity, they are able to donate almost 90p from every pound raised directly to support research.