3 Boys on a Bike: London to Paris in 3 Days
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| left - right: Matt, Dave and James |
On 11 July three Canford School pupils will set out from London to cycle to Paris. The difference for these three is that they will all be on one bike. Matthew Stein, David Freeman and James Thorpe will climb aboard their ‘triplet’ bike at Tower Bridge, London to cycle 300 kms to the Effiel Tower in Paris to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Matt Stein, who is now in the Fifth Form, received a life saving double lung transplant after an unidentified viral illness in February 2006 left his lungs unable to function properly. By September of that year Matt needed oxygen 24 hours a day and was unable to walk more than a few metres. The double transplant in March 2007 was a total success and Matt was discharged from Great Ormond Street just two weeks after the operation. Three months later Matt cycled 50 miles and raised over £3000 for the hospital. Wanting to do more, Matt has now teamed up with David and James to undertake the three day ride. Both David and James are keen cyclists. David already undertakes triathlons and both runs and cycles competitively. James began cycling at the age of 10 and now also takes part in cycling and triathlon events.
The threesome have two objectives; they want to raise as much money as possible for Great Ormond Street so that they can continue their excellent care, and also to raise awareness of child organ donation. There is a severe shortage of child donors and as a result many sick children are not able to receive the transplants they so desperately need. Commenting on his motivation for the bike ride Matt said, “ I have been lucky in so many ways and now value every moment. I want to get out and have as much fun as possible, and in the process increase awareness about organ donation and raise as much as we can for Great Ormond Street, so that others can have the treatment and care that I was fortunate enough to receive.”
The boys are now training hard, with regular long rides along the Dorset coast to prepare them for their journey.
To find out more about the boys and their ride or to donate / sponsor their challenge, please visit: www.threeboysonabike.com
