Post by QPR Report on Sept 20, 2009 17:06:43 GMT
Football League - 13 GROUNDS IN 9 HOURS RAISES £2K FOR CHARITY
Posted on: 20.09.2009
Five fearless riders have pedalled between 13 London stadia in a punishing nine hour ride to raise over £2,000 for four very special charities.
In total, the group covered 70 gruelling miles of London traffic to visit 12 football grounds and the Olympic Stadium to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Relief, Cancer Care UK, Help for Heroes and the Maisy Rose Project.
The team comprised of Stewart Houston, son of the former Arsenal and QPR manager of the same name as well as friends Adam Harridence, Paul Woodock, Justin Mayhew and James Root.
But soon after starting his training programme, Harridence, Vice Chair of Colchester United Community Sports Trust and architect of the project, received some crushing news.
"Having already decided to do the ride with Stewart, a good friends' 14-month old daughter, Maisy Rose, was diagnosed with a very rare brain tumour, which has left her fighting for her life," he said.
"Unfortunately there are very few places in the world that could potentially treat the tumour, none of which are based in the UK.
"I wanted to help Maisy, so a portion of the money raised is going to her project. If by riding I have made a small difference then all of the pain was more than worth it."
The journey began at Arsenal's Emirates stadium early on a Sunday morning in September and finally culminated outside Wembley, with both Houston and Harridence senior following in a support car.
Coming from Colchester, the home of the Parachute Regiment, Houston junior rode for Help for Heros, "I know people who have come back from Afghanistan so I have a clear idea of what they are going through", he said.
"This is my bit to give something back and to help those that have sacrificed more that I could imagine."
In addition to the substantial funds raised, numerous clubs contributed items for a planned auction with Colchester giving signed shirts and Brentford donating tickets whilst Chelsea and Arsenal also supplied signed merchandise.
And despite five sore backsides, some near misses in the London traffic and a puncture, Harridence is encouraging everyone to saddle up.
"The ride proves that blokes can get up from a sofa and do their bit if they are motivated enough," he added.
"None of us are trained athletes, but we all decided that our causes were reason enough to push ourselves.
"If you feel passionate about a cause, get out there and push yourselves too - it is well worth it."
THE ROUTE:
The Emirates Statium (Arsenal)
White Hart Lane (Tottenham Hotspur)
The Matchroom Stadium (Leyton Orient)
The Olympic Stadium
Upton Park (West Ham United)
The Valley (Charlton Athletic)
The Den (Millwall)
Selhurst Park (Crystal Palace)
Stamford Bridge (Chelsea)
Craven Cottage (Fulham)
Loftus Road (QPR)
Griffin Park (Brentford)
Wembley
www.football-league.co.uk/latestnews/13-grounds-in-9-hours-raises-2k-for-charity-20090920_2245681_1800952