CarTen 2025 Fundraiser for Maggies Centres

Hi, this is Dave & Si, we're decided to take on the CarTen (2nd time for Si) this year to raise funds for Maggies Centres which is close to both our hearts. This is the 108 mile Cardiff to Tenby ride.

Dave here - in 2023 (just a few short months after we got married), Zoe was diagnosed with Stage 3b, Grade 3 inflammatory breast cancer and our world was turned upside down. Alongside the many support leaflets given out in some of those initial appointments was one for Maggies Centre in Cardiff. Between kidney function tests one Friday morning, just before starting chemo, Zoe and I took a stroll over to check out Maggies. Within a minute of walking through the doors we were greeted with a friendly smile and an offer of a cuppa and a chocolate biscuit. It felt like a little of the weight we'd been carrying was slightly lifted. Everyone in here had their own story, their own experience of cancer, they knew exactly what we were facing. The offer of workshops, counselling, a quiet space was very much taken up during Zoe's treatment and even now, having finished treatment last summer, Zoe still goes along to the Young Women's Support group every month. It has been the most valuable support for Zoe (and I like the chocolate biscuits I get offered whenever I go in with her). Facing a cancer diagnosis is utterly terrifying and Maggies has been the emotional support we didn't know we needed. Maggies relies solely on fundraising and donations to run its centres so this is my way of being able to say thank you for supporting Zoe (and I). 108 miles...I'll see you on the other side!

Si here - I am doing the ride for my friend, Zoe, her hubby, Dave, and everyone who walks through the door at Maggie's in need of care and love. I first heard of Maggie's through my wife, Heidi, who is a palliative care doctor in Swansea. She spoke about walking over to Maggie's Swansea from the hospital with people who had been recently diagnosed with cancer, from the cold, concrete hospital buildings to these extraordinary beautiful spaces, full of light and calm and biscuits and love. The role Maggie's plays is immeasurably important and I would like to give back in any way I can.

Zoe here - What these two are about to take on is an epic challenge! After having a knee op before Christmas (not cancer related), I will be part of the support crew, to provide food and fuel along the way (but mostly to enjoy the fish & chips on the beach in Tenby with them at the end). Cancer is really, really sh*t, to be told "it's cancer" is just heartbreaking and has changed my life so much that I still can't really find the words to describe it all. I was fortunate to be provided with fantastic care through three different hospitals in Cardiff, medically everything was taken care of but Maggies was the hug and I am so very grateful there is a Maggies. Cancer doesn't end when treatment ends and Maggies has been and still is very much taking care of this for me and I am incredibly grateful that these two (crazies) have decided to take on this huge challenge to raise money for a charity like Maggies which has done and still does so much for me.

Maggies is everyones home of cancer care. With professional staff providing emotional, financial, practical and social support Maggie's legacy was that was that with the right support, "nobody would lose the joy living in the fear of dying when diagnosed with cancer".