News: Ollie inspires engineer's epic charity bike ride

An energetic engineer from Dormer Tools in Rotherham is embarking on a marathon bike ride across the UK, in aid of a family friend's son who was diagnosed with leukaemia at just four-years-old.

Ian Goffey, technical sales engineer at Dormer Tools, is cycling more than 950 miles from Lands End to John O'Groats to raise money for the children's cancer charity - CLIC Sargent.

Ian said: "When our friends' son Oliver was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2009, it was a huge shock for everyone.

"His parents were obviously devastated, but they really pulled together as a family and continued to make life as normal as possible for their eldest son Alex, despite experiencing every parent's worst nightmare.

"Seeing the strength and courage they have held throughout and how little Ollie has coped so well with the disease has been a huge inspiration, but they couldn't have done it without the invaluable help of CLIC Sargent."

The charity provided Ollie's parents with emotional, financial and practical support - offering accommodation and transport to and from the hospital where Ollie underwent chemotherapy.

Starting on 28 September, Ian will be cycling 80-100 miles a day, arriving in John O'Groats on 10 October.

"It's certainly going to be a challenge," said Ian, "but I'll be thinking of all the good work that the CLIC Sargent team will be able to do with the funds I have raised.

"I'd like to say a special thank you to all my colleagues at Dormer Tools Ltd, customers and my own family and friends for all their help and support to date with my challenge."

Adele Robertson, CLIC Sargent Regional Fundraising Manager, says: "Individual efforts like this really help to highlight the emotional, financial and practical support that CLIC Sargent offer children and young people with cancer, and their families.

"Our work really relies on fundraising initiatives such as this and we want to say a big thank you to Ian and everyone involved in the Lands End to John O'Groats cycle. Best of luck!"

To sponsor Ian, visit his Just Giving page at: http://www.justgiving.com/cycleforclic

Dormer Tools website

Images: Dormer Tools