SADDLE-weary cyclists have completed their epic ride to Germany.

The team of fundraisers pedalled 800kms in seven days to raise money for research into blood cancer.

The challenge started in Birmingham where one of the cyclists, Jonjo Rooney underwent lifesaving treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2006.

It ended in Hamelin, where Jonjo met Andreas Geppert, the man who had donated stem cells for his transplant.

One of the cyclists was Lauren Hockney, from Colchester, who is a sub-editor with Gazette publishers Newsquest.

 

 

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

She described the celebrations when they reached the end of their journey and when Jonjo met Andreas.

Lauren said: “He walked on the cobbled street towards the man who saved his life. I could see he was choked and what I saw next is a sight which will stay with me forever.

“Seeing the pair of them hug each other as the town buzzed around them, Jonjo wiping away tears as the moment overwhelmed him, was what brought huge tears to my own eyes. The emotion of our whole journey finally swept over me.

“I cried with joy for him. I cried out of pride for what we had achieved and I also cried with sadness as I remembered Tim, the son of the charity’s co-founder John Reeve, who died before he could have his own transplant.”

The fundraisers hope to have raised £10,000, for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, the Anthony Nolan Trust and Bpositive – the charity started by Jonjo and Mr Reeve, from Wickham Bishops, whose son, Tim, 23,died from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

The cyclists are still hoping to boost the total. To support them text Bpos01 to 7007, including the amount you want to donate, or visit justgiving.com/laurenhockney1 or justgiving.com/ Hero2 Hamelin