Latest news with #Land's End
BBC News
8 hours ago
- BBC News
Essex teacher pauses east to west wheelchair challenge
A wheelchair user with multiple sclerosis (MS) who embarked on a coast to coast challenge is "devastated" to have paused the journey 53 miles (85km) from the finish. Ben Parker, 49, from Saffron Walden in Essex, was diagnosed with MS in 2009 and started using a wheelchair in 2023 when he struggled to use his legs. However, before getting to the finish line of the challenge which would see him go from Ness Point in Lowestoft, Suffolk, to Land's End in Cornwall, he said his body and mind "gave up" leading him to pause the challenge, which he hoped to resume in October."When it came to that very last day I was struggling to push myself downhill - there was nothing left," he said. Mr Parker wanted to "flippantly" take on the challenge and go east to west across England instead of going from the top to the bottom of the UK, or vice is a condition where the immune system attacks cells in the brain and spinal cord, affecting how people move, think and said: "They call these things a challenge and there's a reason for that. If it was simple we would all be doing it."Mr Parker had spent 14 days pushing himself in his wheelchair covering between 31 miles (50km) and 47 miles (75km) per day. "It broke my heart. On Sunday I was absolutely devastated... I'm still not at the point of being proud of what I've done just yet because I didn't finish, yet." However, he said there had been numerous factors including his MS symptoms and fatigue which led to him pausing the challenge. "I am quite impressed with what I've been doing... it's not been finished yet, and I do emphasise the yet, because it will get finished," he said."I don't want to let anybody down with this." Across 14 days he faced a variety of weather conditions and has raised almost £6,000 for charities Andy's Man Club and No Child Without. "I went through storms in Cornwall, the heat at the beginning was quite something," he said."It was tough going but I cannot emphasise how amazing the people have been on the whole route."I did get pulled over by the police at one point... I've never been done for going too slow." Mr Parker, who teaches maths in Harlow, said he was ready to get back into training and hoped to be back out on the road to complete the challenge in the next school holiday at the end of October. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Group cycling 1,000 miles to Scotland to raise urgent funds for St Helena Hospice
A GROUP of men are taking on the "ultimate cycling challenge" from Land's End to John o' Groats to help St Helena Hospice. The 'Wrinkled Wheels' will cycle from Land's End to John o' Groats in September – about 1,000 miles by road. The aim is to raise urgently needed funds for St Helena Hospice which is facing a financial crisis after government increases to the National Living Wage and National Insurance. The hospice has received a recent £711,249 cash boost for buildings and technology, but hospice bosses say this does not help bridge the £1.1million increase in staff costs and £200,000 in non-pay costs. Organiser Dave Chapman said: 'We all have personal connections with the hospice, and I would say four out of six of us have had connections with the hospice. 'For instance, my mother-in-law passed away last year, and she spent some time in the hospice. "The people that work in the hospice are absolutely amazing, I think they are fantastic, and I don't know how they do it. "Going forward as a community we all need to try to keep St Helena's for the community.' Dave said the group is only just starting to train as inexperienced cyclists. Last year the group successfully completed a marathon in aid of Make a Wish, and Dave is confident about the group's challenge this year. They aim to complete the challenge within 10 days, which means covering about 100 miles a day. In just one morning, the budding cyclists - who come from across north Essex - raised £1,000 on their online page. The group has already raised money by hosting a clay pigeon shoot at George Wright Farms and sharing a stand with the St Helena Hospice at the Tendring Show. Dave said the Dedham Vale Detectorists have also raised £6,000 to £6,500. The group has a goal to raise £80,000 for the Hospice with an upcoming event being a sold-out dinner dance auction at the Talbooth Hotel in Dedham, with owner Paul Milsom donating a marquee free of charge. Dave added: 'Please help us protect St Helena Hospice. 'Your support means everything.' To donate visit
