Team NCFC captain Ian Orton concludes the London To Amsterdam Cycle Challenge diaries with his recollection of the ride...
You’ll hopefully have read Keith’s great summary of our weekend riding the 150 miles through the Essex and Dutch countryside, from London to Amsterdam, supporting the fundraising efforts of Prostate Cancer UK.
On behalf of both of us, I’d like to just thank everybody for their outstanding support for our ride. As well as friends, family and colleagues, a special thanks to the staff of Notts County and also the fans of the club who have supported us throughout with raising awareness, donations and buying raffle tickets.
I’ve personally had donations from people I don’t even know, and who I may never meet - that was really humbling and I want to say a big thank you to those people – your donations really have made a huge difference to the charity.
The weekend itself was tough for an old man like me (Keith had youth on his side!) but the football family pulled us through it as fans and ex-players from 50 other clubs joined us on the journey through some magnificent countryside, and in unbelievably sunny weather. We met loads of great people on our journey and the charity were extremely grateful for all we’d done to smash the challenge.
For me personally, I lost my dad to Prostate Cancer in July of last year, and I had plenty of emotional ups and downs on the route reminding myself of my own reasons for doing the challenge, but I think it was a positive way to remember him, and also raise funds and awareness for the Prostate Cancer UK charity. It was really down to the goodwill of people and donations that kept us going throughout the training in the wet and windy English weather and on the weekend itself.
Next year’s challenge promises to be even bigger and better than this year, and I’d really encourage people to get involved, and make Team NCFC a force in 2015 (celebrating our promotion to the Championship as well we hope!!). Apart from a few aches, you’ll experience plenty of footy banter and humour that I think only fans of ‘proper’ good old fashioned Football League clubs can generate, plus you’ll get the satisfaction of making a difference to men’s lives in the fight against Prostate Cancer … a win-win.
Thanks again for all of your wonderful support and good wishes – it really made the difference.
COYP!
Ian Orton
Captain, Team NCFC
Notts fans can still show their support for the Team NCFC duo by visiting both riders’ Just Giving pages: IAN ORTON & KEITH STEWART.
With the help of Notts fans, Team NCFC have already raised nearly £4,000 for Prostate Cancer UK.
To register your interest for next year's challenge, email media@nottscountyfc.co.uk.