22 incredible fundraisers take on gruelling Alpine cycle challenge in support of Cure Parkinson’s
On Monday 4 July, a group of 22 fundraisers will set off from the shores of Lake Geneva to take on the historic Raid Alpine cycle challenge. This gruelling physical and mental test will see the team covering 770km through some of the most feared Alpine roads with 18,000m of vertical ascent – more than twice the height of Mount Everest – all in just six days.
Amongst them will be Cure Parkinson’s patron Mike Tindall, his fellow England Rugby World Cup winnning team-mate Iain Balshaw, Cure Parkinson’s CEO Will Cook, and five incredible people living with Parkinson’s. The team will face relentlessly steep climbs and undulating roads, including the infamous Tour de France classics Col de l’Iseran and the Cime de la Bonette, before they eventually reach the welcome sight of the finish line in Nice. This challenge will be no easy feat for even the most seasoned of cyclists, not least for those also managing Parkinson’s. “This promises to be the toughest challenge I have undertaken,” said Alison Anderson who, diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s aged 46, will be setting off with her group of five ‘Cyclopaths’ a few days earlier to spread the journey over 10 days. Joining Alison in her group is Dorset GP and Public Health Consultant Dr Claire Lehman who was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s aged 37.
I am really keen to raise funds towards a cure. The research that Cure Parkinson’s funds is not only working to slow, stop or reverse the progression of this degenerative condition, but it also motivates me with hope.”
Dr Claire Lehman
Mike Tindall, who is no stranger to getting on his bike to raise funds for Cure Parkinson’s, having taken on the Raid Pyrenean challenge in 2019, told his Instagram followers:
18,000 metres of climbing as a 100kg man doesn’t really sit that well with me. We’re bringing research from around the world together so any support you can give will be massively appreciated. Please donate, I’m sure I’ll need picking up.”
Mike Tindall
This much-awaited event is finally able to take place in 2022, following cancellations in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. Cure Parkinson’s is incredibly grateful to the entire team for taking on this challenge to raise funds and awareness for urgently needed research into a cure for Parkinson’s.
