Pedal Power Doctor Raises 40th Funds for Phyllis

Forget yellow jerseys, it’s the blue one you want to look out for! Phyllis Tuckwell’s Dr Nick Dando will be cycling from London to Paris this September, to mark both the charity’s 40th anniversary and his own 40th birthday, and to raise money to help fund the vital supportive and end of life care which Phyllis Tuckwell provides.

Nick is a Consultant in Palliative Medicine at Phyllis Tuckwell, and has seen the difference that Hospice Care can make to patients and families who are living with an advanced or terminal illness, such as cancer. His challenge became unexpectedly more poignant in February though, when his mum was diagnosed with cancer. She died at home six weeks later, and Nick and his family experienced first-hand the importance of enabling people to achieve their wish for a peaceful death in the home they love, surrounded by their family and their memories.

“Seeing the wonderful care that my mum received has made me even more passionate about the importance of Hospice Care,” says Nick. “I want to celebrate my 40th by raising money for Phyllis Tuckwell in its 40th year, to help it continue providing this invaluable support for local patients and their families. Every pedal stroke will also be in memory of my dear mum.”

Nick is hoping to raise £1,000, enough to cover the costs of a Hospice Care at Home nurse for over a week. These nurses care for patients who have chosen to spend their last days at home, as Nick’s mum did, visiting them as needed and offering their families emotional support too.

You can keep up with his progress on Phyllis Tuckwell’s Facebook page, where he will post photos and updates throughout the challenge, which will start in London on 18^th September and finish 86 miles later, in Paris, on 22^nd September. And if you see him out training in his blue Phyllis Tuckwell jersey, give him a cheer!