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Grand Triumph: £4,426 Raised to Beat Prostate Cancer!

It’s done. The Grand Départ Classic 2018 is in the history books, and while the professionals followed a week later, they certainly didn’t face a tougher challenge than the brutal headwind that never relented on our stage. But despite the suffering, we triumphed. The 195km route was conquered in 8 hours of intense effort.

Along with 221 superstars, we battled the elements and the clock to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK. My personal achievement hit a staggering £4,426, absolutely smashing every initial expectation and contributing to the event’s collective total of over a quarter of a million pounds! It was 8 hours of hell, but knowing that the money would help save lives made every pedal stroke worth it.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/JohnsGrandDepart

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Grand Départ 2018: John Corner Battles Headwind to Raise £4,426 for Prostate Cancer UK

The Challenge: Pushing Boundaries in the Vendée

The ride traced the entire first road stage of the 2018 Tour de France in the beautiful yet demanding Vendée region of western France. We started at the iconic Passage du Gois, a rare road path that is submerged by the sea at high tide, and had 12 hours allocated to complete the 195km stage.

Approaching 50, this was, without question, the furthest I had ridden in a single day since my early 20s. After helping to raise over £2,000 for Prostate Cancer UK the previous year with my local pool league, I was seeking a fresh and challenging endeavour to raise both awareness and funding for this critical cause.

My initial fundraising target was £1,000, but thanks to the incredible generosity of everyone who donated, that figure was quickly smashed, then quadrupled. I was even the third highest fundraiser out of all 250 cyclists taking part!

John Corner said: “Everyone I have approached has been so generous, and the fundraising has already smashed my expectations. I was on track for a custom cycling jersey in the spirit of the Tour de France—it certainly compensated for the headwind!”

Message from Prostate Cancer UK HQ:

Unbelievable scenes here at Prostate Cancer UK HQ as we reanalysed the late drama on Sunday in the race for the polka dot jersey. Congratulations to John Corner who made a last-minute attack to finish 1st at the top of the mountain, just ahead of David Glover. Paul Spraggons still maintains a healthy lead in the race for the yellow jersey and if this continues, the sprinter’s jersey will go to Matthew Fuller. Completely blown away, thank you so much for your support so far!

the race for the polka dot jersey. Congratulations to John Corner who made a last-minute attack to finish 1st at the top of the mountain

The Journey: From Zero to 195km

The preparation for the 2018 ride was almost as tough as the day itself. Training was demanding, involving a comprehensive 16-week cycling training schedule and working with a fitness trainer. I lost a stone in weight just to prepare. To put the distance in perspective: I didn’t even cover 195km in the whole of the last year leading up to Christmas!

That meticulous training was the only thing that got me through the day, especially against the relentless onshore wind coming off the Atlantic as we passed through towns like Saint-Jean-de-Monts and Les Sables-d’Olonne. Every hour was a fight, but crossing the line in Fontenay-le-Comte after just 8 hours was the most rewarding feeling.

The Purpose: Why We Must Fight Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer UK believes men are worth fighting for, and by supporting the charity, we are all joining that fight. The £4,426 raised will help fund ground-breaking research and drive improvements in treatment and care.

The facts underscore the urgency of this mission:

- 11,000 men die from prostate cancer in the UK each year. That is one man every 45 minutes.
- Without action, this annual death toll is projected to rise to over 14,500 by 2026. By 2030, it is predicted to be the most common cancer overall.

Crucial Risk Factors:

The lifetime risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer is approximately 1 in 8 for men in the UK. However, the risk is significantly elevated for certain groups:

- Black Men: The risk is doubled. 1 in 4 Black men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime.
- Family History: Men with a close relative (father or brother) who had prostate cancer are at a higher risk.

James Beeby, Director of Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “It’s fantastic to see that John has decided to enter the event to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK… By doing this, they are joining the fight and helping to make a difference. Together, big or small, you’ll be helping us push for real change, from more effective testing to better treatments.”

Thank You: Every Pound Saves Lives

My deepest gratitude goes to everyone who contributed to the incredible £4,426 raised for this one event. You turned my personal challenge into a life-saving contribution.

Thank you for helping us make prostate cancer a disease the next generation of men need not fear.