www.paulsrideforlife.com

Welcome to one of the most extraordinary events that an ordinary, everyday man can undertake

(actually, the most extraordinary thing I've ever been part of is my fabulous family, but more about them later)!

"Why would someone cycle the length of Britain?  Well, I can't speak for anyone else, but here's why I'm doing it…"

When I was 13 I lost my left leg, hip and all, to cancer. Unfortunately the tenacious disease wasn't finished with me and, following only a partially successful course of chemotherapy to remove the tumours which had developed in my lungs, my only chance of survival was pioneering surgery. Clearly it worked as I'm here now!

You might wonder if I felt like life dealt me a tough hand but there has always been good stuff to balance the harder bits out. I was lucky that I was young enough not to fully understand just how ill I was. I am lucky to have come from a family where obstinacy and tenacity are rife. My childhood continued without cancer from the age of 16, and these traits served me well in helping me build a steely determination to get on with a life that is flavoured, rather than determined, by the lack of a leg.

I have enjoyed being a fit, healthy and sporty adult; had a deliciously miscreant youth; and perhaps a few more marriages than is my fair share. Having children has meant a huge amount to me. Nothing much compares with the battlefield of parenting. I got pulled down to earth whether I liked it or not and my youthful sense of immortality was swiftly humbled by the realisation that I was only ever part of the human race. But what a great thing to be part of, don't you think? My oldest children are now fully grown, and I have the privilege of watching them take their own lives forward in ways that leave me quietly proud. I live with my wonderful wife alongside our 2 adorable children of just six and four years.

I've not been immune to middle age, and may have reason to sympathise with others whose bellies have widened, hair thinned and needing longer arms to read clearly! In November 2007, 33 years down the road from my first "all-clear" I discovered a lump in my cheek which turned out to be another type of cancer. I won't describe the details of the nine and a half hour operation that removed the malignant tumour but it felt like few parts of my body were being left untouched! It also put huge strain on those close to me. My wife found the support of a spouse in caring for our children replaced by the need to care for me too in my convalescence.

I have been squarely reminded of my mortality. Life is short. I have a responsibility to myself and my family to ensure that I live life to the full. And I would like to give something back. This is what has led me to embark on "Paul's Ride for Life".

I only discovered hand-cycling in April 2008, whilst recovering from the operation, and found it one of the most liberating experiences of my life. I embarked on a mission to get fit, to see Britain under my own steam, and to travel the length of the country powered only by my arms in a bid to raise £500,000 for Cancer Research. I set myself a tough target of doing this in May 2010 to coincide with my "landmark" birthday (I'll let you work out which one) but in April 2009 an event had repercussions that would not only threaten my goal but also brought me closer to death than I'd ever been before.

I unknowingly became infected with necrotising fasciitis, a flesh-eating bug. Days later, having ignored a particularly dodgy tummy and an achy arm (thinking the two fairly common symptoms were unrelated), I was in a remote (but lovely) holiday cottage in Cornwall, feeling decidedly unwell. My wife and two youngest children had gone to the beach, leaving me in bead to get over my stomach bug (or so we thought). I began to realise that something was dreadfully wrong and that I needed help but there was no phone and I was disoriented and in too much pain to get down the stairs and out of the cottage to call for help. Realising it was my only option, I gritted my teeth and succeeded in making it down the stairs and outside. Still in my pyjamas, I was calling for help in the hope that someone was close enough to hear me. By shear luck, the owner of the holiday cottage was coming to the barn nearby and came to see what all the noise was about; I managed to ask her to call for an ambulance before collapsing. I was rushed to hospital whilst people went to look for my family.

By the time I was admitted my arm was already dead and the toxins in my blood were causing my organs to fail. Again, with the most amazing luck and acts of human kindness and determination, total strangers gave both professional and personal time in the huge effort to pull me through. They knew they could not save my right arm and the rest of me wasn't looking too hopeful yet here I am. Some time later, the consultant who was there on my first night in hospital admitted she'd never seen anyone as close to death as I was survive in 20+ years of medicine.

Fortunately, all the training I'd been doing for the Ride For Life had strengthened my heart and lungs and it's probable this helped my body's ability to survive. My recovery has been far swifter than even the doctors predicted; I was out of intensive care in 2 weeks and home less than a month later.

Looking at the events described above, you may think I'm unlucky, but I'm a glass-half-full man; I must be one of the luckiest men on Earth!

I can only imagine what it was like for my family and friends in those first few days in April 2009. The support they gave and continue to give, to each other as well as me, is incredible.

I'm a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a grandfather and a friend… and in I'm still determined to cycle from John O'Groats to Land's End in aid of Cancer Research.

We've found a company who can make a new bike for me. This time I’ll be using my one leg for power and my arm for steering gears and brakes,  and I'm itching to be back on the road again. I'll be updating this site with my progress and new target date as soon as I have my new wheels!

Please explore more of this site and be inspired by what great things can be done by us ordinary human beings … and maybe help us on our way!