Lifelong friend takes on cycle challenge
When Jim Billingham set himself the challenge of cycling the 900 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats, it didn't cross his mind that he may not be able to do it.
When Jim Billingham set himself the challenge of cycling the 900 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats, it didn't cross his mind that he may not be able to do it.
But as he became more ill with the colon cancer he had been battling for 10 years, he asked his near-lifelong friend to complete the task for him. And on May 19, 72-year-old company director Phil Ramsell will be starting the gruelling challenge in memory of his friend, who died on March 12. Mr Ramsell, of Foley Road in Streetly, has given himself a target of raising £30,000.
The money will go to Jim's chosen charity Macmillan, and has so far raised more than £14,000.
He said: "Jim set himself a list of things he wanted to do during his retirement, including visiting all the capital cities of Europe and cruising the Baltic. He completed all of them except one - cycling "End-to-End" - Land's End to John O'Groats.
"Macmillan provided emotional support for Jim and his wife, and prepared him for what followed."
The pair met when they joined Walsall Roads Cycling Club in their teens, and remained friends throughout their lives, even after Jim moved from his West Bromwich Road home in Delves to Aberdovey in Wales.
Jim kept up his cycling despite his illness and in 2004, aged 65 and following major surgery for colon cancer and treatment for prostate cancer, he completed all 108 miles of the West Midlands and Wolverhampton Charity Bike Ride.
Mr Ramsell said it was only when the cancer reached his liver that Jim realised he could not cycle.
He said: "It became obvious that he wasn't going to be able to do the ride himself, he found that he couldn't even sit on a bike, let alone ride it, so I said I would do it on his behalf."
Julian Knowles, one of the fundraising managers for Macmillan, said: "Given their shared love of cycling, it seems fitting Phil should be completing this challenge in memory of Jim."
To sponsor Phil, visit www.justgiving.comPhilip-Ramsell.Cheques made payable to: Jim Billingham Macmillan Fund and sent to Dr Philip G Ramsell, 1 Chatsworth House, Chepstow Place, Sutton Coldfield B74 3TJ.