Leatherhead posties ready for another ride in aid of cancer

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POSTAL workers are planning a sponsored cycle ride in memory of a much-loved friend who died of cancer.

Bob Hogan and colleagues at the delivery office in Leatherhead have held an event every year since Geraldine Jones died in 1999.

With ten rides completed and another happening this Saturday, the posties' determination to raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity is undiminished.

Ms Jones' leukaemia was treated at The Royal Marsden Hospital, a world-leading cancer centre in London, for eighteen months before she passed away aged 60.

Mr Hogan, 55, said: "It was very sad that she died, but while she was in there, we saw how everyone involved with the hospital was totally dedicated to their work and to the welfare of the patients.

"Whatever condition the patients were in, the staff couldn't do enough to help. They were fantastic."

After seeing the care Ms Jones received, Mr Hogan organised the first charity cycle ride in May 2000 – a tough 44-mile trip from Leatherhead to Littlehampton.

Building on the success of the first event the riders, now known as the Leatherhead Cycle Team, arranged international trips, cycling to Marseilles in 2001 and Barcelona in 2003, raising £92,000 and £62,000 respectively.

Mr Hogan added: "These events prove to be a fantastic fundraiser due primarily to the overwhelming generosity of local people and firms.

"This generosity is evident in the £300,000 the team has already raised for the charity.

"But we're not stopping. All the while we are able to do this, we will."

On Saturday the team will set off at 1pm on the original Leatherhead to Littlehampton route – after delivering the morning post as usual.

To sponsor them send a cheque payable to "The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity" to Littlehampton Cycle Ride, c/o Royal Mail Leatherhead D.O., Station Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7AE.