Ipswich: Duo get on their bikes for London Nightrider marathon in aid of pet charity
Andy Murray and Steve D'Eath of Ipswich will be taking part in Nightrider, a 100km moonlit ride through London, in aid of The Animal Health Trust in Newmarket in June. - Credit: Archant
TWO neighbours will be getting on their bikes for a charity cycle ride as a tribute to their beloved dogs.
Steve D’Eath, 40 and Andy Murray, 36, will join thousands of people taking part in Nightrider – a 100km moonlit ride past London’s iconic landmarks.
Both men are new to cycling and were inspired to take on the challenge in aid of The Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, as a result of the good care given to their dogs.
The pair will set off from Alexandra Palace at 11.45pm on Saturday, June 8 and hope to finish in time for breakfast the following morning.
The route will take in sights including Canary Wharf, Piccadilly Circus, the British Museum, London Eye and Trafalgar Square.
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Photographer Steve and his wife Rachael, who live in east Ipswich, first took their beagle Woody, now seven, to the trust when he was just a pup.
He was diagnosed with steroid responsive meningitis and treated there. A few years later, he was given spinal surgery by the trust and is now a fit and healthy dog.
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Steve said: “All the staff at the trust were excellent and we were given daily updates on Woody’s progress.
“Everyone seemed to share our concerns and really appeared to care about him as much as we did. As animal lovers, we wanted to put something back and hope other animal lovers will help us to do that by sponsoring us.”
Carpenter Andy and his wife Jo took their Bernese mountain dogs Chester and Barkley for treatment at the trust. Chester suffered cataracts and Barkley developed cancer of the lymph nodes.
Both their dogs have since died, but the Murrays have nothing but praise for the trust.
Andy said: “Everyone at the trust was so supportive during each of our dog’s illnesses so we decided we wanted to put something back. It has recently opened a cancer unit and as Bernese Mountain dogs are prone to developing cancer, we wanted to help with the unit.
To support the duo, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/pedallingforpets or follow their training on Twitter @Pedalling4Pets.
