A 21-year-old from Leicester is cycling 400 miles to Paris this week to raise money for LOROS in memory of his mum.
Joe Virk of Braunstone Town, will be setting off on his trip from Hinckley Road, Leicester tomorrow (Wednesday), to raise money for the Hospice where his mum, Paula, died earlier this year.
The university student will be taking on the four-day challenge with 11 of his friends and between them they are hoping to raise £10,000 for LOROS.
“We told mum we were cycling to Paris when she was still alive and I remember the first thing she said was, ‘but none of you have got a bike’” said Joe.
“She was so delighted that we had planned it though.”
Paula, 52, was initially diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years ago and despite being given the ‘all clear’ in 2012 the disease returned in 2014 and she was given the devastating news that it was terminal.
“Mum is our inspiration,” added Joe.
“Mum battled hard and she beat cancer once, we’re doing this for her. We believe she is our inspiration to succeed, not our excuse to fail and we try and live by that saying it all times.
“Mum was such a popular person; all of the boys who are biking with me grew up with me, so they knew her really well too.”
Mother-of-three Paula came to LOROS in March and was there for nearly two weeks before she died.
“Mum was so happy to be at LOROS,” said Joe. “And if mum was happy, we were happy.
“Mum had her own room, which meant she could sit and watch the birds, which she loved; and although she didn’t have a alcohol drink while she was there, she liked seeing the drinks trollies going round, knowing she could have what she wanted.
“It was great too because we were able to stay at the Hospice overnight and the nurses were brilliant, so personable; they really took the time to sit and talk to mum and the other patients.”
Joe said that although he knows the bike ride will be tough, if he can raise enough to make just the smallest bit of difference for another family who is in the same position as they were, it ‘will be worth it’.
“I couldn’t do it without my mates; I couldn’t ask for a better bunch of friends,” added Joe.
“We’ve already raised £2,000 in the past for LOROS by taking part in other fundraising events. I’m very proud of what we have achieved.”
While 11 of the lads will be cycling, they will be joined by two more of Joe’s friends who will be following, driving alongside the team in a van.
Joe’s family and Paula’s best friend will be at the finish line on Saturday, awaiting the group’s arrival at the Eiffel Tower, in Paris.
Help Joe and his team reach their target by sponsoring them by visiting: justgiving.co.uk/longroadtoparis
