STEVE, ASHLEY and MARK: Ride for Nana and TSB
I am very proud to tell you all that my son Steve and his 2 friends; Ashley and Mark (they have remained friends since school) are all taking on a mammoth bike challenge on 10th May in the Lake District with all 3 of them committed to raising funds for The Silent Bleed.
The Fred Whitton Challenge is an iconic, 112-mile cycle challenge over all the major passes of the Lake District National Park. It is breathtakingly beautiful and yet it takes place over a punishing terrain. The event will be held on Sunday 10th May 2026.
It is one of the toughest routes in Britain and will probably be the hardest one-day ride that these 3 friends will ever complete with gradients of 30% at the 98 mile mark! It will take a lot of effort and willpower to finish the event and will require them to undertake a gruelling training plan (which they have already started).
It's a true test of endurance. Steve's nana (my mom), was diagnosed with SS 5 years ago and is now in a care home requiring 24 hour support. The Silent Bleed was the first place where I found the help that I needed to help navigate this rare condition. There is still a lot of work to do in order to raise awareness, even amongst medical professionals.
Imagine a time in the future where leaflets regarding Superficial Siderosis are as common as those regarding Cancer, Parkinsons, Muscular Sclerosis etc etc ... where people newly diagnosed could walk away from their consultant with written information to help them. Not everyone has access or the ability to be able to find their way around the internet so this is just one of the aims of the charity.
A 'Go Fund Me' page has been set up, with any money raised going directly to The Silent Bleed. Please click here and donate if you can, share if you will. Even a very small donation will help the charity massively, thank you.
-Sharon Lee