CYCLING stars Harry and Charlie Tanfield have ridden 2,000 miles across the region throughout May for a cause close to their hearts.
The brothers from Great Ayton, who both ride for UCI Continental road team, Ribble Weldtite, are supporting the Yorkshire Cancer Research campaign ‘Step Out for Yorkshire’ in memory of their mum Clare, who sadly died following an operation to remove a cancerous tumour.
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The brothers are raising funds for the campaign which challenged people to set their own exercise goal throughout the month of May to raise money to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.
So far, participants have completed over 30,000 miles and raised more than £38,000.
Charlie, who competed at the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020, said: “It feels great to be not only cycling in some of the most beautiful areas of the country, but also creating conversation and raising awareness of all the fantastic work Yorkshire Cancer Research funds.
“Harry and I lost our mum nearly three years ago following an operation to remove a cancerous tumour, so this is a campaign very close to our hearts.”
The Tanfield brothers hope to be selected for Team England at this summer's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham; Charlie for the track cycling events and Harry in the road racing.
Harry, who won a silver medal in the Commonwealth Games in 2018, added: “Charlie and I have set out to cover 1,000 miles each in May, so 2,000 miles combined, which is also a great way to train for this year’s competitions.
"Step Out for Yorkshire is a great campaign to get people out into God’s own country, especially with the funds raised to go towards vital research.”
Other athletes who supported the campaign include Olympic diver Daniel Goodfellow and former England and Yorkshire cricketer Ryan Sidebottom, who have both been clocking up the miles in support of people with cancer in Yorkshire.
As well as raising vital funds, Step Out for Yorkshire aims to highlight the important role exercise plays in lowering the risk of cancer.
Exercise before, during and after treatment for cancer has also been shown to help some people respond better to treatment and can help stop the disease coming back.
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Dr Kathryn Scott, chief executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “Step Out for Yorkshire is all about giving your health and wellbeing a boost while helping to save lives and celebrating everything our beautiful region has to offer.
“That's why we invited people across the region to step outdoors and get moving.
"It was great to have local athletes and influential voices involved to spearhead the campaign and inspire and motivate those taking part.
"Supporters could choose whichever exercise they love and set their own target, so everyone could join in regardless of their experience or abilities.”
In Yorkshire, 30,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year.
Yorkshire Cancer Research aims to save 2,000 lives in the region each year by funding pioneering research.
There is still time to donate to the campaign and track progress on a live leaderboard at yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk/stepout
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