FROM:
http://www.cambridgenetwork.co.uk/news/article/default.aspx?objid=57475

Charity tandem cycle ride to Rome sets off on Friday 13th!
Accountancy student with PEM Sean McCann and Jesus College student Peter Banks set off on their tandem cycle from Cambridge last Friday (13th March) – destination Rome. The pair are raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust, East Anglia appeal to build a Teenage Cancer unit at Addenbooke's hospital, Cambridge.

This epic journey will take them approximately three weeks, and their route will take them down to Dover where they will catch the ferry to Calais, cycling through France, over the Swiss Alps and then finally to Rome following the pilgrim route Via Francigena.

Carrying all their camping gear, clothes and provisions on the bike within them, the pair who have been firm friends throughout their school years, will be camping and cooking for themselves while cycling around 80 – 100 miles a day whilst they aim to raise around £15,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust, East Anglia appeal. Following a “Bon Voyage” breakfast laid on by Sean’s employers accountants Peters Elworthy & Moore (PEM), who are sponsoring the boys, the pair were waved off on their journey by around 100 friends, family and colleagues.

Having been diagnosed with and treated for cancer at just 18 years of age, Sean knows only too well how the disease and its treatment affects every inch of life as a teenager. No longer a child, but then again not quite an adult, teenage cancer patients need a very different environment and where they can continue to be … just Teenagers. Says Sean, “It was very difficult both physically and emotionally coping with the disease and the radical treatment needed, but on a ward full of adults I felt isolated and wanted to be around people my own age. I just want to be able to support this fantastic appeal and give future teenage cancer sufferers the opportunity to be treated in a more suitable environment”.

Adds Helen Bearfield Smith of the Teenage Cancer Trust, East Anglia Appeal -“Teenagers are vastly different from children and adults and need to be treated in dedicated wards. A Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge will give young people in East Anglia with cancer the support they need to help fight this terrible disease. We were delighted to be invited to Sean’s “bon voyage” breakfast and enlightened to see that Sean and Peter have the backing and full support of family, friends, colleagues and PEM whilst they raise money for this great cause.

Teenage Cancer Trust’s East Anglia Appeal has to raise £1m by the end of 2009 to ensure the project goes ahead and PEM is committed to supporting them in achieving their goal by hosting a variety of events and activities throughout the year. Adds Toni Munro, Head of HR at PEM, “Whilst the care Sean received from the staff at Addenbrooke’s was first class, Sean found himself on wards with older, sometimes terminally ill adults for long periods of time and this is not ideal. Sean has asked PEM to support him in his fundraising efforts so that in the future, teenagers with cancer can spend what is a very difficult time in their lives, in an environment conducive to being a teenager and we are delighted to help.

Peter continues “Seeing my friend suffer from Cancer was obviously very hard for me, so when the idea arose to raise money for a good cause of this nature, I couldn't say no. So now I've been roped into cycling half way across Europe - and I have to give up the beer and crisps!”

If you would like to sponsor Sean or Peter and help them reach their target for Teenage Cancer Trust’s East Anglia Appeal you can go straight to their justgiving page on www.justgiving.com/cambridge-to-rome-cycle or via the PEM website at www.pem.co.uk and visit events

Adds Managing Partner Paul Chapman, “We are delighted to be supporting this worthwhile cause and helping Sean to achieve his fundraising goal. We are however a little concerned that when they set off they looked at each other and asked “which way?” and the fact that it is Friday the thirteenth!'

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For further information contact Pippa Corbett on 01223 728288 or email pcorbett@pem.co.uk.