“The ride was just incredible, hard, but the best thing I have ever done. The people just made it.”
Everyone is familiar with the idea of a pub crawl, right? But what about a brewery ride? When you learn that this fundraiser for St Christopher’s and Macmillan is in memory of a man who loved cycling and beer it all becomes a bit clearer.
Fifteen of Robin Jackson’s closest family and friends will mount their bikes at Titsey Brewery in Kent and pedal their way to St Austell Brewery in Cornwall.
Robin’s niece Annie, a self-confessed cycling novice, is fully expecting the 250-plus mile ride to be a serious challenge but is determined to complete the four-day marathon in her uncle’s honour.
“Before starting the training, the last time I cycled was over a year ago. I went out with my Dad, Robin’s brother, for about an hour and had to walk up every hill. I go to the gym and run but riding a bike is a whole new dynamic and I kept falling off trying to use the cleats.
“But we’re doing this for Robin who was the most inspiring, kind and genuine man, always trying to make other people happy. Dad came up with the idea to bring together two of Robin’s passions as well as his favourite people and we’ll be honouring him and raising money for two organisations that helped him fulfil his wish to stay at home at the end of his life.”
Robin, who lived in Bromley and ran his own specialist travel company, was referred to St Christopher’s a year or so after being diagnosed with cancer. Up until that point, he’d not let his diagnosis stop him from living life to the full, continuing to see friends and family, swimming, watching his beloved Arsenal and Bromley FC as well as having the odd beer.
Annie says it wasn’t just Robin who benefitted from the care and support provided by St Christopher’s.
“Mandy his wife and Sam his son, were supported beyond measure by St Christopher’s. What I think they really appreciated more than anything else was the human level on which the nurses communicated with them.
“Sam is an only child and for him to witness care being delivered to his father by people that genuinely cared made a massive difference for him.”
Robin was also able to attend Sam’s wedding before his condition deteriorated.
“Staying at home was the thing Dad wanted more than anything,” says Sam.
“It meant he was in his own environment where he felt safe and comfortable with us, his family, and Eddie the dog too.”
When the friends and family line up at the start of the ride at Titsey Brewery on 23 April, it’ll be just over a year since Robin died and Sam, who’s only just bought a bike, believes he’ll be more than just in their thoughts.
“Hopefully Dad will be watching us along the way, and when we cross the finish line we’ll forget the pain from the previous four days I’m definitely looking forward to the last day when we’ll finish as a group, say a few words about Dad, have a few beers and look back on the ride with pride.”
You can support Robin, Sam and their fellow Brewery to Brewery cyclists here.
And if you’re thinking of organising your own fundraiser for St Christopher’s and would like our expert team to support you, contact communityfundraising@stchristophers.org.uk.
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