Friends and family of Sam Fitzsimmons have recently completed a mammoth cycle challenge in south-west France, raising an incredible £13,800 and counting for Fitzy's Fund to further vital research into Ewing sarcoma.
The team conquered the 6906ft climb of the Col du Tourmalet in nine hours, covering 115 miles in total with an enormous 20-mile descent. Located in the French Pyrenees, it is one of the highest paved mountain passes in the region.
Departing from "Base Camp" in Lahitte-Toupière at 0700 hours on Saturday 26th June, the group reached the summit 53 miles into their journey. They celebrated their victory that evening with a party and BBQ, wearing Hawaiian-theme, flowery t-shirts in true Sam style.
Reflecting on the motivation behind the challenge Harriet Craven, friend of Sam and one of the sixteen cyclists, said:
Sam met the challenges facing him with determination, courage, grace and style and in spite of his circumstances, his “joie de vivre" always shone through. This is why we planned to do the same.
Kate Connor, Community Fundraising Manager at the Bone Cancer Research Trust, said:
Thank you so much to the wonderful supporters behind Fitzy's Fund for continuing to fundraise for our vital work in Sam's memory. We hope that one day this will mean people like Sam will not have to face this cruel disease.
Sam was just 23-years-old when he died from Ewing sarcoma on 16th May 2020 after experiencing severe pain leading to his diagnosis two years' prior. His family and friends set up Fitzy's Fund in his memory to raise awareness of rare cancers which are often underfunded and under-researched.
Following his death, his friends and family have been fundraising non-stop in his memory, including taking on the Manchester Marathon and the London Landmarks Half Marathon; even carrying out a strenuous bear crawl challenge with St. John's Redboys, a college rugby team at the University of Cambridge where Sam studied.
To find out more about Fitzy's Fund, please visit:
There's still time to support this incredible challenge. To donate, please visit the JustGiving page: