Family and friends of a much-loved Thornaby resident completed a colossal cycle challenge across France, raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
The group from Teesside took on the 1050-mile bike ride across France and has so far raised a whopping £18,000 for the cancer charity.
Lillian’s four children and wider family group decided to take on the challenge, called Lillian’s Two Wheeled Pilgrimage, in honour of Lillian to channel their grief positively.
Eight riders took on the challenge including; Paul Walker, 50, Gillian Hoban, 50, and Mandy Kennedy, 52.
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Lillian’s grandchildren were also involved including; Luke Walker and Brooke Hoban, son-in-law Paul Kennedy, and nephews David Bradshaw and Andrew Bradshaw.
Accompanying them on the journey is a support vehicle manned by Lillian’s youngest son, Steve Walker, who has a long-term injury and unable to ride, and grandchildren Quinn Hoban, Jacob Walker, and daughter-in-law Nicola Walker.
Steve, 45, from Stockton-on-Tees, said: “We couldn’t predict the sweltering heat wave which meant as part of the support team it was really difficult to understand just how the cyclists were able to press on in temperatures of almost 40 degrees at times especially with no supermarkets or shops selling ice in rural France.
“More frightening were the forest fires that sprang up near Bordeaux and we were turned back on a number of occasions for our own safety from our preferred route. In that moment when we were waiting in the support vehicles for all the cyclists to re-appear whilst we chose an alternative route it was a real worry imagining how they might cycle fast enough to beat a rampant forest fire in the wrong place.”
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Ingleby Barwick resident Lillian died aged 74 in January 2022 after being re-diagnosed with breast cancer as well as enduring treatment for myeloma, a type of blood cancer.
She was originally from Thornaby, a committed Roman Catholic, and in her retirement supported Catholic schools in the area becoming a Foundation Governor at Christ the King Catholic School in Thornaby.
Steve said: “Mam’s attitude to her double cancer diagnosis was impressive. She was obviously sad, but her attitude was rather than say ‘why me’ to say ‘why not me?’ My mam had a strong faith and I know this helped her deal with what was coming.”
Lillian devoted many hours of her retirement to visiting the children at Christ The King Catholic School helping them read and often helping them prepare for their first Holy Communion. She also visited famed Catholic pilgrimage spot Lourdes five years ago and was set to return before the pandemic and cancer intervened.
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Steve said: “As a family we have been profoundly affected by cancer over the years,” said Steve, “Making Macmillan our charity of choice was a natural decision for mam and the whole family.
“Given our experiences as a family with cancer I would say to anyone hesitating to go to the doctor over unusual symptoms such as unexplained lumps and bumps, coughs or fatigue. Please put your doubts aside and visit your GP; at the very least it will be a relief and if fears are confirmed you at least put yourself in the position of achieving the best possible outcome by doing something about it.”
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