Chris Rodgers, sales manager at Pelsis Group, is cycling 550 miles from the Netherlands to the company’s Knaresborough headquarters to fundraise in memory of a former colleague.
Named the Tour de Derek, the 13-day challenge will see Mr Rodgers cycle from Pelsis’s office in Barneveld, the Netherlands, via its office in Bornem, Belgium, all the way to the company’s headquarters in Knaresborough.
All funds raised from the challenge will be split equally between the Cure CJD Campaign and St Teresa’s Hospice in Darlington, where Derek was cared for following his diagnosis.
The 550-mile Tour de Derek will comprise 11 legs in total, taking in the cities and towns of Den Bosch, Antwerp, Gent, and Ypres in Belgium and Calais in France. He will also cycle through Rochester, Duxford, Peterborough, Lincoln and Doncaster, before finally reaching Knaresborough.
Commenting on his challenge, Mr Rodgers said: “Not only was Derek my colleague, but he was also my mentor and my friend. To be able to undertake this sporting challenge in memory of him is truly an honour.
“Since Derek’s passing, it’s always been my intention to raise vital funds for the Cure CJD Campaign to help develop a treatment for cure for CDJ and increase awareness and understanding of the disease.
“I also wanted to fundraise for the brilliant team who cared for Derek at St Teresa’s Hospice in Darlington to support them in continuing to care to those in need.”
For more information on how to donate to the Tour de Derek cycling challenge, click HERE.