Simon Gregory from Harrogate will cycle from North-West Scotland to Winchester Cathedral in memory of his aunt – Rev. Ruth Scott – for Macmillan Cancer Support.

It is the second cycling challenge for Simon, having completed a 280-mile journey from his hometown to University Hospital in Southampton back in June 2021, which he completed in less than 24 hours.

Having raised £14,000 for Macmillan before, Simon is targeting £25,000 as he aims to complete a 1,000km ride in a sub-48-hour time.

It will be a particularly poignant ride for Simon, whose Aunt’s ashes are scattered and interred at the start and end-point, respectively.

Rev. Scott was part of the BBC Radio 2 Show ‘Pause for Thought’ alongside Sir Terry Wogan and then Chris Evans, but her endeavours went beyond the radio, as Simon explains: “It’s to remember my Aunty Ruth who battled T-cell lymphoma. She was an incredible lady who led the most remarkable of lives; as a circus clown, a midwife and then a priest.”

“She touched thousands, maybe millions of lives in conflict resolution and as a broadcaster for 25 years on BBC Radio Two. She was an incredibly selfless lady who was my second mum. She was always there to support and guide me when I needed it.”

At the time of his Ruth’s death in February 2019, Simon was just starting out in cycling, which helped him deal with the grief of his aunt’s loss. Having already completed one impressive cycling challenge, Simon explained why he wanted to go one bigger and better.

“There felt like there was some unfinished business, and some fuel left in the tank. I had spoken to a family friend whose friend sadly didn’t have access to Macmillan support. To think that somebody faced cancer without what Ruth had in her nurse, Maraid, just kept nagging at me. Maraid offered a huge amount of knowledge, support and understanding so we could deal with the situation much better,” he added.

Simon has his sights set on a £25,000 as this would cover 101 days of Macmillan nursing.

Fiona Gavaghan, Fundraising Manager in Yorkshire, said, “We are so thrilled Simon has decided to take on yet another epic challenge for Macmillan. The magnitude of the challenge ahead and the amount Simon is aiming to raise demonstrates not only his determination to do whatever it takes to help people living with cancer but also how he held his wonderful Aunty Ruth in such high regard. Funding 101 Macmillan nursing days will positively impact the lives of so many people living with cancer and their families.”

You can follow Simon’s progress on Instagram @ruthscott48hr and show your support by making a donation at www.justgiving.com/page/ruth48.

People can also donate £33 – which funds one Macmillan nursing hour – and have a loved one’s name included on the bike to join Simon on his journey.