Doctor cycles 520km in memory of his father

A doctor has taken part in a four-day cycle over the Alps in memory of his father.
From left: Doctor Matt Jackson and team mates Andy Jones and Tim Dicksee at Lake Como, in Italy. Photograph: contributedFrom left: Doctor Matt Jackson and team mates Andy Jones and Tim Dicksee at Lake Como, in Italy. Photograph: contributed
From left: Doctor Matt Jackson and team mates Andy Jones and Tim Dicksee at Lake Como, in Italy. Photograph: contributed

Dr Matt Jackson, 44, who lives in Eastbourne and is a partner at Seaford Medical Practice, cycled 520km from Geneva, Switzerland, to Milan, Italy, from June 28 to July 1 with about 20 members of The Green Army, a team of cyclists who often ride in aid of charity.

In 2010, his father, Roger, died from lymphoma – a type of blood cancer – aged 61, and the alpine ride was in aid of the charity Bloodwise, which funds research in to blood cancers.

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Dr Jackson has raised more than £2,450 so far through his JustGiving page (www.justgiving.com/fundraising/drmatthewjackson). However, he says that the group has raised some £63,000 for the charity together.

He said: “I am so grateful for all the support I have had and would like to thank everyone who wished me well and helped me surpass my fundraising goal. Altogether we have raised more than £63,000 for Bloodwise, which will make a significant contribution to the work they do.

“I started cycling a few years ago as a way of getting fit and losing weight but never imagined then that I would one day manage to cycle over the Alps!

“This ride was by far the most challenging one I have ever done – I have never cycled so many miles on four consecutive days, especially not over such mountainous terrain.”

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The cyclists crossed over the Alps from Switzerland into Italy at the Nufenen Pass, the second highest pass in Switzerland.

Dr Jackson added: “The top of the Nufenen pass is almost 2,500 metres which meant we were affected by the altitude. And the weather wasn’t on our side either – we had rain most of the way up which turned to hail and snow at the top!

“But we all made it and got down safely. It was a fantastic experience.”

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