We’re very proud to confirm that ModuleCo Healthcare’s Managing Director, Alan Wilson, has successfully completed his challenge of cycling 300 miles in March to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
Setting out on the first day of March (which was no doubt blustery, cold and wet), Alan raised £300 for the charity which will go towards researching cures and treatment for a disease that affects the lives of so many people around the world.
We spoke to Alan about his motivations for the challenge, his stand-out moments and what other fundraising initiatives he has in the pipeline…
Q) What was your motivation for taking on the 300 miles in March challenge?
A) Like many of us, lockdown has given me the opportunity to get out on my bike and explore more of my local area (although never venturing too far!). Being fairly new to cycling, I wanted to set myself a bit of a goal that would encourage me to adopt positive habits and keep me motivated through cycling on a daily basis.
I initially spotted the 300 Miles in March challenge on social media and thought it would be an achievable goal while also raising money for a fantastic cause.
Q) Why did you select Cancer Research as your chosen charity?
A) Cancer Research UK is a cause very close to my heart, having lost my mother to the terrible disease back in 2005. With this to motivate me, I thought lockdown would be a prime opportunity to take on a challenge that would not only fundraise vital funds for a very important charity but also benefit me personally.
Q) How much did you raise overall and were there any stand-out highlights?
A) My aim was to get £1 for every mile I cycled, which I am delighted to say has culminated in raising £300 for Cancer Research. A huge thanks to my family, friends and colleagues for offering their support and helping me reach that desired number.
While on the face of it, the challenge was relatively straightforward, even for an amateur cyclist! (10 miles a day, every day for a month), I began hitting stumbling blocks when I missed days here and there for various reasons, especially during the Cheltenham Festival.
Inevitably, I ended up playing catch up while also contesting with the unseasonably windy weather we had this March. Despite the challenges, it was fantastic to explore the beautiful Wirral coastline. I even managed to make it a family affair by inviting my brother to join me – he must have been a lucky charm as we completed my longest ride of 34 miles on this day.
Q) Do you have plans for any further challenges?
A) This challenge has certainly ignited my enjoyment for cycling, and I’m now looking to involve the team at MCH in a 150-mile ride later in the year. We’ll be cycling from our Head Office in Ellesmere Port all the way to our factory in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. We even have plans to stop off at our flagship theatre complex at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham and will be donating our raised funds to their charitable trust.
The timeframe for this ride will be even shorter, with the plan being to complete 150 miles within two or three days. It will be great to get the team together, especially after a challenging twelve months. I have no doubt there’ll be plenty of funny stories to share by the time the challenge is complete…and hopefully some valuable funds raised, too!
