NEIL COMPLETES EPIC CHALLENGE IN MEMORY OF HIS MUM

Irlam man Neil Williamson was a ‘Man on a Mission’ and last night completed a gruelling, endurance challenge that he failed to finish last year after sustaining
an injury.

Neil age 43, had ‘Unfinished business’ – As he will once again attempted to cycle
‘solo’ more than 2,000 miles in just three weeks, totally alone and without and back-
up or support.

Neil cycled from Lisbon in Portugal all the way back to his hometown of Irlam and
Cadishead, hoping to raise as much money as possible for two charities that are
both very close to his heart and personal to him.
He is  is a former Irlam Primary School and Irlam High School student and for many
years was a keen local footballer of some note playing for the likes of Irlam Mitchell
Shackleton’s, the Catholic Club and Tiger Moth FC’s.

He said,

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“I am raising funds to support the fantastic and valuable work that St. Anns
Hospice do. My mum Jo passed away in 2017, she was looked after at home by their
‘Hospice at Home Service’, they did an incredible job looking after and caring for
mum during her final months. I also received counselling from St. Anns Hospice after
mum passed.”

Neil is also raising funds for the local Jamie Horrocks Trust (JHT) that was set up in
memory of Irlam Firefighter and popular local footballer Jamie Horrocks who sadly
passed away.

He added,

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“Jamie was a friend and teammate. The work that the JHT do in his
memory is amazing. They have made such a difference raising the awareness
understanding and support around the issues of mental health and wellbeing.”
The support and counselling that Neil received from St. Anns Hospice was life
changing. He added, “The counselling I received from Hazel at St. Anns was totally
life transforming. I was in a very dark place after mum passed. She enabled me to
discover what was important to me and what made me happy. It also prompted me
to have a change of career and I have now finished my training and studying to
become a Podiatrist. Sadly, Hazel passed away 2021 and this ride is in her memory
as well”.

Neil took his final exams just a week before jetting off to Portugal to take on his
mammoth challenge. He added, “It has been hard studying, doing work placements
and of course training on the bicycle five days a week for the challenge. But I am
doing it for the two charities that mean an awful lot to me, and I am determined to
succeed this time around.” But that work also paid off as on his trek Neil was notified
that he had passed with a ‘first’.

Neil attempted the same challenge last year but after just 450 miles on the road,
suffered an accident and broke his wrist and was unable to carry on. He has been in
continuous training for many months and had to carry with him on his bicycle around
15kg of kit including four spare inner tubes, a spare tyre, puncture kits, bike locks,
sleeping bag in case he gets caught at night on the roads between planned stops, a
change of clothing, food and almost constantly carrying two litres of water.

Some days I rode over 150 miles and others around maybe less than a hundred or
so. It has been worked out that on the route I took, I will have climbed the equivalent
distance of going up Mount Everest three times during the challenge!”

Neil finally finished his epic trek at 6.30pm last night when he crossed the finishing
line at Irlam Steel Club on Liverpool Road, where a large group of family, friends and
acquaintances were there to cheer him over that line.

On his final day of the challenge, Neil cycled to St. Anns Hospice in Little Hulton
where members of staff gave him a guard of honour. Before cycling on the Culcheth
Cycles in CLulcheth to thank them for all their work on getting is trusty cycle ready.
Neil amazingly completed the entire 2,100 miles without a single puncture or
mechanical issues.

From there it was the home straight and to the Steel Club for a warm welcome and a
cold beer, a fantastic unaided and supported achievement.

Neil added,

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“I would like to thank everyone and anyone that has or would like to
sponsor or support me on completing this epic challenge, including local companies
and individuals who have financially supported the costs of the ride or given me their
time: my cycling coach Adam Darby of Revolution Cycle Coaching; Culcheth Cycles
for getting my bike ready for the road; Irlam Rotary Club, Bill, Gill and Jim from the
Irlam Rotary Club for their very generous personal support; Steven Payne at SP
&Co; Chris Hilton of CH Nutrition, Training, Injury Therapy and Rehabilitation;
Matthew Thorpe at 12 Gauge MMA; Joe Bailey; Simon Roper; Barrie Holmes
Personal Training and Nutritional Advice; Benchmark Building Supplies; Dave Roddy
of Vac-Away; Chris Hesford of Tusk Design Studio; Nick Parker of Parker Sports
Services; and Co-Active ICT. I had unfinished business with this challenge and was
determined more than ever to get over the finishing line back in Irlam!”

You can still sponsor Neil on his challenge and support two fantastic charities by
donating at his ‘Just Giving Page’ at https://www.justgiving.com/page/neil-williamson-
2023