IN their biggest challenge yet, 30 Abby's Heroes supporters cycled 400km from Vietnam to Cambodia to raise nearly £60,000 for the Southampton-based children's cancer charity.
The epic seven-day challenge, the charity's biggest fundraiser so far, saw the team navigating flat roads, forests, bumpy, sandy, gritty tracks and all sorts of obstacles including people, chickens, buffalo, scooters, tractors and even a combine harvester, all in 33-degree heat.
The group included Sally and Dave Randalll, who founded Abby's Heroes in 2016, six months after losing their daughter Abby to cancer, five trustees and other charity supporters.
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Sally, the charity's CEO, said: "Some of this brave team hadn’t been on a bike in years prior to starting training for this gruelling event, All the bumps, bruises and achy limbs were worth it though for a fantastic experience and a jaw-dropping amount raised!
"This is, without doubt, the toughest challenge Abby’s Heroes has ever been part of. The heat and terrain required all of the challengers to dig deep, but they all crossed the finish line proud of their achievement. Roll on the next challenge!"
The challenge took the group from buzzing Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, cycling through traditional Vietnamese villages, following streams and rivers, passing paddy fields and adjacent to mountains.
After a fascinating river journey and a rest day on the Mekong and Bassac Rivers, the team crossed the border into Cambodia and pushed on to the world-famous temple site of Angkor Wat.
Abby’s Heroes supports young people and their families on the paediatric oncology ward, Piam Brown and the Teenage and Young Adults oncology ward at University Hospital Southampton.
The charity offers financial and practical help as well as making it possible for patients and their families to create precious memories.
Money raised is used to fund various projects and support to children, young people and their families going through the harsh reality of childhood cancer.
Abby was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer, in 2013 aged 8 years and 10 months. In May 2014, Abby was officially declared in remission and spent six carefree months getting back to school and back to her beloved dancing.
The day after Christmas that year, Abby’s cancer returned. Despite a truly awe-inspiring fight she lost her battle on May 29th 2016, aged 11.
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