A man will be cycling through south London into Paris to raise money in memory of his lifelong friend who died two years ago.
Ben Watkins, 22, from east London, will be cycling to Paris on May 30 in memory of his friend, Sam Roonan, who died after a lung transplant rejection.
The 242-mile route will be starting from Trafalgar Square and he will pass through Croydon along the way.
He will then stay over in Brighton to get on a ferry into Dieppe, a coastal commune in France.
Ben will continue his journey from Dieppe into Paris which will take him around nine hours.
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Ben told Your Local Guardian that losing Sam was one of the “hardest things” he had to deal with.
After suffering from Cystic Fibrosis, a condition that directly affects the lungs, Sam was told in 2012 that he needed a lung transplant.
Ben said after eight years with all surgery “complications” Sam developed an “acute rejection” to his new lungs.
He explained: “After Sam had his transplant in 2012, he then battled a lung transplant rejection.
“Unfortunately, he passed away in early 2020 in the Rowan Hospice at the age of 21.”
Ben said the transplant gave Sam a “new lease of life” which allowed him to achieve “so much” through university and playing sports.
He explained the plan to cycle to France started just two weeks ago while thinking of ways he could raise awareness for Sam’s condition.
He said: “The whole idea started two weeks ago, after speaking to Sam’s mum.
“I decided to go ahead with it. I know it’s going to be hard.
“It will be a difficult task for me, but I’ve always conquered these types of challenges.
“I’ve thrown myself in the deep end here a bit, but I know I’ll overcome it.”
Ben added that he will be cycling from London to Paris with the aim of accomplishing his journey in 48 hours.
He said: “I will attempt to cycle 242 miles from London to Paris at the end of May.
“Many people who take on the challenge ride the route over four days with an assisted support team, however, I plan to ride it solo within a 48 hour period.”
Ben explained he is currently training the “hardest” he has ever trained despite being a rugby player his whole life.
“Currently, I’m training hard for May 30.
“I have started cycling and challenge myself every time I step onto the bike.
“I've done two 20-mile routes last week.
“It’s challenging but I’m slowly starting to get used to it.
“I know I can do it and I will do it.”
Ben said his last interaction with Sam was when he was in intensive care just three weeks before his death.
Ben has so far raised a total of £1,073 through his Just Giving page with an aim of reaching £1,500 before starting his journey.
“Currently we have raised £1,073 with a goal of £1,500.”
“All donations will go towards the Rowans Hospice where Sam spent the last weeks of his life in comfort with his family.”
For any donations please visit: https://gofund.me/9b39f4cd
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