Amateur aims to beat the Tour de France for good causes!
News Posted: 28 March 2008
The toughest endurance sport event in the world is being taken on by a young man who was struck down by a debilitating illness for six years.
Martyn Jones, 33 from Hertfordshire wants to prove he has conquered the painful misunderstood illness, M.E. by taking on the gruelling 3,500 kilometre route of the Tour de France this July. And after years of training, Martyn says he is now super fit and raring to go! He will set off two days ahead of the professional cyclists with his own support team and complete all 10 flat stages, nine mountain rides and two time trials as the route winds through French countryside before passing the finishing line in Paris.
As well as facing his own ultimate endurance challenge, Martyn, New Business Director for Bounty, the Hertfordshire based marketing and media company, wants to raise thousands of pounds for two national charities, the Association of Young People with M.E. and the British Heart Foundation. Martyn wants to raise awareness of the M.E. in young people and be an example of what you can achieve with a healthy heart and lungs.
"My own story goes back to 1992 when I first experienced M.E. It was diagnosed following a bout of glandular fever while still at sixth-form college. Like many people affected, my suffering was very much in silence behind closed doors and with minimum recognition from the medical profession that this was a real illness, let alone my friends. I was sick for over six years. Fortunately for me and my family, I was able to turn to one of my hobbies, cycling, into a very slow and methodical form of rehabilitation", said Martyn.
"At times, I questioned my own sanity. But I've got through it, put it behind me and I'm just raring to go. I need to prove to myself that I can do it." Martyn hopes his own story of determination will inspire others, attract big media coverage en route and attract big sponsors.
Further info: www.ayme.org
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