Recently, one of my favourite people should've celebrated his 56th birthday. That Geoff Hill didn't is down to Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. I knew him for longer than I didn't: amongst other things, it's down to Geoff that I'm a Crystal Palace fan! (F.A. Cup winners 2025, I'll have you know…)

Screenshot 2025-06-27 at 22.17.50 by nicholl.simon, on Flickr

At the end of August I'll be getting back on the bike to cycle the coastline and borders of England, solo and unsupported- almost 2000 *very* lumpy miles- similar distance as this year's Tour de France! It'll also feature around 90,000 feet of climbing, lugging an extra 15kgs of luggage on dodgy surfaces, into inevitable headwinds and no doubt a fair share of rain. The route will take me to the most westerly, southerly, easterly and northerly points of England.

To complete this in 20 days is a pretty big ask, but it's got to be something decent in order to ask you for sponsorship, right? You were all so generous in donating to last year's challenge: the Tour de Ireland, and Cure Leukaemia were really grateful and appreciative. Your money really makes a difference.

IMG_9817 by nicholl.simon, on Flickr

Why try to fundraise for the same charity again? The same three reasons, really...

In September 2023 I met the founder of Cure Leukaemia, Professor Charlie Craddock and some of his team and was amazed by how dedicated and determined they truly are. That stuck with me, and I believe in them.

Secondly, I was at the Royal Albert Hall for a couple of Teenage Cancer Trust shows in March, and hearing the extraordinary stories of people in remission was not something that you easily forget.

Finally, I recently saw a photo of Geoff holding his son Alfie and even though I was in two minds about trying another challenge because I loathe the fundraising aspect so much, I loathe what happened to Geoff a damn sight more so it's really no decision, is it?

He was funny, smart, daft, full of energy and it's hard to believe that he's not around anymore. Geoff was a fantastic dad to Emily, Olivia and Alfie, and a wonderful husband to Nat. I know he’ll always be loved and missed and very fondly remembered by them, and also his mum Pauline, dad Robin, siblings Matt and Laura, and his many friends. We wish he was still here.

Cure Leukaemia helps blood cancer patients to access pioneering drug and transplant treatments by funding a network of specialist research nurses across the UK, in places like Belfast, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Oxford, Cardiff, London, Southampton, Bristol and of course their HQ based at the Centre for Clinical Haematology in Birmingham.

Without these nurses to ensure patients are monitored and cared for, the clinical trials of these new treatments would not run, and patients that have exhausted standard treatment options would miss out on potentially lifesaving therapies.

The target is a mighty £4,000. In Geoff’s words, “Aim high”!

This is the magic link to donate and help Cure Leukaemia...

[www.justgiving.com]

Thank you and all the best,

Simon.

ps Thanks to Bjornulf for allowing me to harass you all er, post another appeal: IORRians are amongst the most generous souls around.

pps there'll be the usual *high quality* daily blog during the ride at

[tde2025.blogspot.com]

As a poor student I don't have any money to give during the summer sadly, but I wish you tons of luck!

Hi Glimmerest,

No worries- I know that money is tight and there ain't nothing free...but I will gladly take any good luck going spare!

While I'm here (just about to head into the hills to get my head kicked-in, hah-hah!), a great big thank-you to both Some Toronto Girl and also Guess Who for both not hesitating in donating so generously yet again. Toronto and Glasgow in the house...woo-hoo! You both rock *and* roll.

All the best,

Simon.

IMG_1494 by nicholl.simon, on Flickr

Best of luck,Simon.

I will donate today.

Well done Palace, I was certainly supporting Palace in the semi final and final.

Good luck Simon.
I'm still waiting for your New England tour.

Hi Mike,

I can understand why you'd be pleased that Palace won their SF, hah-hah! It was dreamland...things like this don't happen to clubs like CPFC...

Thank you very much indeed for donating yet again mate...you know that I do appreciate it.

All the best,

Simon.

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ChrisL
Good luck Simon.
I'm still waiting for your New England tour.

Hi Chris,

Well now- you never fail...a massive thank you is in order! I did look at maybe going from Key West up to Toronto for this fundraiser but have gone for the slightly more deranged option instead, hah-hah!

If we ever meet at a show, then I'm buying...

Cheers,

Simon.

Hello,

Please forgive me bumping this back up again but I have another two stalwart IORRians to say thank you to...

I'm looking at the pair of legends that are DandelionPowderman and Green Lady!

Good on you for not hesitating and donating so generously yet again- Cure Leukaemia are very grateful, as am I.

All the best,

Simon.

IMG_6427 by nicholl.simon, on Flickr

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SimonN
I did look at maybe going from Key West up to Toronto for this fundraiser but have gone for the slightly more deranged option instead, hah-hah!

Good grief, man. The beer would be dreadful until the last hundred miles…

(…next time!)

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SomeTorontoGirl

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SimonN
I did look at maybe going from Key West up to Toronto for this fundraiser but have gone for the slightly more deranged option instead, hah-hah!

Good grief, man. The beer would be dreadful until the last hundred miles…

(…next time!)

Hey, wait just a minute! I know you guys have those peanut butter-chocolate chip cookies that are magical, but you can't convince me that Elsinore beer is better than Narragansett beer.
:-)

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ChrisL
Hey, wait just a minute! I know you guys have those peanut butter-chocolate chip cookies that are magical, but you can't convince me that Elsinore beer is better than Narragansett beer.
:-)

Hey, Cookie Monster! In the event of water shortages, we use American beer to flush. Certainly not to power a massive expedition!