Local businessman and chairman of Shildon Football Club, Brian Burn, is one of ten “ugly, fat, unfit old men”, taking part in a coast-to-coast cycle ride in aid of two charities: Macmillan Nurses, and a charity that has become close to Brian’s heart, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
The BERCS are the Boys of Elm Road Cycling Society and they will be riding ‘Coast-to-Coast the Roman Way,’ along the route of Hadrian’s Cycleway – a 174 mile ride from Ravenglass, Cumbria to South Shields, Tyne & Wear.
Nine of the boys will be taking part in the ride while the tenth has the somewhat less energetic job of driving the backup vehicle.
The last time the group took on a cycling challenge two years ago, they raised a total of £4,560 for Cancer Research and Macmillan Nurses, and this year they hope to do even better.
Brian admits to knowing nothing at all about cystic fibrosis until the family suffered the heartbreak of discovering that their grandchild, Jenson, who had to have an emergency operation just 30 hours after being born, was diagnosed with the illness.
“I was mortified to learn about CF,” said Brian. “Fifteen years ago the life expectancy of a sufferer was extremely low, about 20 to 30 years of age at best, he said. “I couldn’t take it in that I could possibly out-live my new grandson and asked about cures. The reply was: ‘there are none, all we can do is to try and keep it under control with medication and exercise.’
“But due to investment and research into improving the quality of a sufferer’s life, that life expectancy has gone up to 45 to 55 years of age in the last 5 years,” continues Brian, “and I’m pleased to say that with even more investment in new medications, that figure is expected to go up further, meaning that people will be able to lead a more natural life.”
However, cystic fibrosis sufferers require life-long medication and physiotherapy which, Brian says, comes at a cost.
“And it is that cost we are raising money for. The nurses who care for CF and cancer sufferers have an often thankless task but do a fantastic job, and I would like to think we can break our previous total this time around,” he says.
“I will be keeping a photo diary of most of the events should anyone wish to have a look at the ugly, fat, unfit old men that are participating!” Brian jokes.
“I hope this to be a very good experience and one that I can be proud of. I just hope it stays dry and we get a west-to-east wind to help us along.”
For anyone wishing to donate, cheques can be made payable to B W Burn and when all the monies are collected they will be split 50/50 to relevant charities.
Brian’s daughter and Jenson’s mam, Victoria, is soon to set up a trust in Jenson’s name to raise funds for cystic fibrosis. She has already had a race night and there is soon to be a girls’ night out. Keep an eye on the Crier for future events.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
