Balham blogger says get On Yer Bike for brain tumour charity after death of her friend
A motivational blogger is urging residents to get involved in a fundraising spin session to raise cash for Brain Tumour Research.
Amy Jones, 35, from Balham, will be cycling through the national On Yer Bike event to raise vital funds towards research into a disease which took the life of her dear friend, Phil Blackmore.
Phil, who lived in London and worked as a financial analyst with Ascential PLC, was diagnosed with a low-grade brain tumour in August 2016, at the age of 31. He died suddenly, just weeks later, on New Year’s Eve.
Amy, pictured above, said: “Phil was a wonderful friend. We met on a ski trip three years before he passed away. He had a profound impact on my life and on the lives of so many others who knew him. I miss him so much and think about him every single day.”
To raise funds for research, Amy is hosting the charity spinning class on Saturday at Digme Fitness in Rathbone Square, Fitzrovia. The event will see up to 60 people join Amy for a spinning class, where they will pedal in sync with each other and the music.
Amy, who, alongside her blog, works as a communications manager in the city, said: “After he died, I had to do something to channel my grief into something positive and to bring lots of Phil’s friends and family together for an event that seemed a fitting way to honour his memory.
“Phil loved his fitness, taking part in several triathlons and marathons, and even ‘L’Étape du Tour, racing over the same route as a Tour de France stage, so this is a great way to remember him.
“Please come along and join in the fun if you can. Each spinner will be asked to contribute £20, which will go directly to the charity. In return you will get a goody bag to take home, as well as some well-earned refreshments after the spin.”
On Yer Bike, a series of spinathon fundraising events, takes place around the UK each year in aid of Brain Tumour Research.
By taking part in and raising money at this event, participants are funding vital research as well as helping to influence government and larger charities to increase the national investment into research for brain tumours to £35 million per year.
Amy is known for her motivational fitness and wellness posts on Instagram at her page @mimilouj. With more than 14,000 followers, she is hoping her social media community will help to raise awareness of the fact that brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.
Despite this, historically just 1 per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.
On Yer Bike has been running since 2012 when it was launched by brain tumour patient Paul Halfpenny from Derbyshire.
Paul passed away in 2014 but the event continued and now takes place nationwide.
Click here for further details of how to join.
To donate to Amy’s fundraiser, click here.