Donate for the Dixons - Rachel's Cancer fight
Donation protected
The cover picture you see for this fundraiser shows me, Gert (aka Mark Mitchell ), in the foreground and my best mate Bert (aka Andy Dixon) just behind. We met back in 2011 and almost instantly became firm friends and cycling buddies. We've cycled thousands of miles together and raised thousands of pounds for charity over the years. Not because we wanted to be heroes but because we love cycling and just wanted to help others. The support of our partners, friends and family has been central to this.
2020 has been a year like no other. We've only managed to cycle together in the real world twice so doing so virtually has been a godsend.
However this year has taken a turn that neither Andy nor his partner Rachel could have predicted. Having both worked through the pandemic, Andy as a Police custody detention officer and Rachel in an NHS GP surgery, Rachel received news that has devastated the family and turned theirs and their 14 year old son Arran's world upside down.
At the beginning of December 2020 Rachel was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer of the lung.
Her prognosis is just 12 months.
When Andy told me it brought back so many memories of my own Dad passing away due to throat cancer back in 2004. Utterly devastating. My wife and I were reduced to tears when I told her. But I have to remain strong for my best mate.
However the reality is that the disease, on this occasion, is not operable or curable but can be treated. There is a long road ahead for Rachel, Andy and Arran.
On speaking with Andy a few days ago he explained that they were having to make decisions on what they could afford over the coming weeks and months as they would both be facing wage reductions because of sickness pay regulations. This... As Christmas is almost upon us.
Cancer poverty is something many people don't have any insight into. Cancer doesn't care who you are or what you earn. The reality is that there are costs to absorb and that you have do this when your wage is cut by 50% after 6 months.
I thought to myself... How the hell is that fair?! At someone's lowest point in life, having been given the worst possible news, they now have to struggle financially through no fault of their own.
Time is of the essence. I have to do something. Doing nothing is not an option. I cannot have Rachel, Andy and Arran struggling though this.
When Andy told me it brought back so many memories of my own Dad passing away due to throat cancer back in 2004. Utterly devastating. My wife and I were reduced to tears when I told her. But I have to remain strong for my best mate.
However the reality is that the disease, on this occasion, is not operable or curable but can be treated. There is a long road ahead for Rachel, Andy and Arran.
On speaking with Andy a few days ago he explained that they were having to make decisions on what they could afford over the coming weeks and months as they would both be facing wage reductions because of sickness pay regulations. This... As Christmas is almost upon us.
Cancer poverty is something many people don't have any insight into. Cancer doesn't care who you are or what you earn. The reality is that there are costs to absorb and that you have do this when your wage is cut by 50% after 6 months.
I thought to myself... How the hell is that fair?! At someone's lowest point in life, having been given the worst possible news, they now have to struggle financially through no fault of their own.
Time is of the essence. I have to do something. Doing nothing is not an option. I cannot have Rachel, Andy and Arran struggling though this.
We need to take the financial doubt out of the reckoning and let them concentrate on being a family through whatever the next few weeks and months bring.
All I'm asking you to donate is the cost of a coffee or a burger or more if you want to. You might think that the target is high but in reality this is the amount they will have cut from their wages. This amount gives them security and let's then concentrate on what matters most.
In return I will cycle at least 100 miles a week both on the road or virtually. I won't stop until the target is reached. Follow my progress on Strava at
https://www.strava.com/dashboard
Please support this family in their darkest of times and bring back my faith in humanity.
I'll suffer so they don't have to.
I don't want to be a hero... I just want to help this beautiful family.
All I'm asking you to donate is the cost of a coffee or a burger or more if you want to. You might think that the target is high but in reality this is the amount they will have cut from their wages. This amount gives them security and let's then concentrate on what matters most.
In return I will cycle at least 100 miles a week both on the road or virtually. I won't stop until the target is reached. Follow my progress on Strava at
https://www.strava.com/dashboard
Please support this family in their darkest of times and bring back my faith in humanity.
I'll suffer so they don't have to.
I don't want to be a hero... I just want to help this beautiful family.
Organizer and beneficiary
Cycli Gert
Organizer
England
Andrew Dixon
Beneficiary
