WATCH: Teenager who lost both parents to 'horrific diseases' gets on his bike to boost research for Brain Tumour Charity and MND Association
A TEENAGER who lost both of his parents to devastating illnesses will be cycling through the Highlands as part of an epic heartfelt mission to fundraise for vital research.
Jeremy Daubeny (19) is fundraising for the MND Association and the Brain Tumour Charity.
He said: "Both these charities are very close to my heart. In September 2018 my Dad, Giles, passed away of a brain tumour and in May 2019 my Mum, Clare, passed away of Motor Neurone Disease. Both are horrific diseases and we desperately need to find new treatments. No one should have to suffer like my parents did."
The determined young man – who will be visiting an old friend while in the Highlands– has already raised £24,000 to be split between the two charities and helped raise awareness of the two awful conditions.
And while admitting it is a daunting task, he'll be spurred on by thoughts of his parents every mile of the route.
The teenager from Tunbridge Wells has also set himself a quirky task along the way: finding Britain's best breakfast.
He explained: "I really wanted to raise money for the two charities leading the research into my parents’ illnesses. Both brain tumours and motor neurone disease are devastating conditions which attack the body and destroy your ability to live the life you once knew. I wouldn’t want anyone else to see someone they love so much, suffer so greatly.
"Cycling was something that really helped me in lockdown, and I’ve always been a bit of a food enthusiast! Therefore, I came up with the idea of setting off on my bike with a tent and a few essential supplies, in search of the best breakfast this nation has to offer.”
And, while cycling, or sampling the nation’s finest breakfasts, his parents will never be far from his thoughts: “My Mum is simply the most selfless and loving individual I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. She was someone who just invested and invested in others. One of her great loves was cooking and I don’t think there were many things in life she enjoyed more than watching her food be enjoyed by family and friends.
“My Dad was one of those rare people who had the ability to sit outside a café and chat away to strangers for hours on end. He was never in a rush and just loved being surrounded by different characters.
“Something I crave every day is to have one more bite to eat with my Dad and watch the world go by while we chat about anything and everything. I guess every time I sit down for a breakfast on this challenge, my Dad will be firmly at the forefront of my mind.”
Admitting some nerves about what he has taken on with just a tent and a few vital supplies, he said: "Never spending a night in the same place for 49 days is going to be incredibly disorientating and I’m sure there will be lonely days on the road. When things get tough, just thinking about my brilliant parents should get me through.
“Particularly amongst people my age, terminal illness can be a bit of taboo, but the more people that know about these horrific conditions, the faster we can fundraise, research and potentially find a cure.”
His fundraising link can be found at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TourdeFullEnglish
He's on Instagram and Facebook @TourdeFullEnglish
