North Yorkshire man to cycle 100 miles for Yorkshire Cancer Research

A North Yorkshire man is set to cycle 100 miles to raise funds for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Andy Hopper, from Great Ayton, will complete the ‘Ride London-Essex 100’ on Sunday 29th May to help prevent, diagnose and treat cancer in Yorkshire.

Andy said: “I just think the charity funds such important work. There aren't many families that haven’t been touched by cancer, so it’s great that there are people out there who can do the research and develop treatments.”

This will be Andy’s fifth ‘RideLondon’ event but this time he’s taking on a completely new route which will take him into Essex.

The 100-mile course will take Andy from Victoria Embankment in central London into Essex via the historic Epping Forest. The cyclists will then tour county towns and villages before heading back into central London and towards the Tower Bridge finish line.

Andy continued: “I’ve always been interested in cycling, but only really took it up in 2015, and this is a great challenge because it’s on closed roads, so you get a rare opportunity to see London that way.

“I did it for four years in a row before the pandemic so it’s exciting to be completing a new route.”

Andy’s family have been involved with Yorkshire Cancer Research for many years. His mum Margaret Hopper has volunteered as part of the Great Ayton volunteer group for over four decades.

“My mum’s volunteering has been the main reason I wanted to get involved and fundraise for the charity. It’s great to have the chance to play my part.”