Buckskin man to cycle 4,000 miles across Europe (From Basingstoke Gazette)
When news happens, text BAZ and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
Chris Markun will cycle through The Alps, Pyrenees and Alpujarras
2:00pm Monday 11th March 2013 in News By Helen Morton
Chris Markun
A BASINGSTOKE man is to take on a cycling challenge to raise money to help sufferers of a painful condition which has affected his wife.
IT specialist Chris Markun will cycle 4,000 miles across Europe to raise money for a charity which supports the 1.5 million women in the UK who suffer from endometriosis.
Chris, from Galloway Close, Buckskin, will leave London on June 1, sailing from Portsmouth that evening, and his marathon cycle ride will then take him across seven further European countries.
The 37-year-old explained: “Endometriosis is something that affects so many women and yet this painful condition is not well known and there is limited support.
“Endometriosis is something my wife Sarah has suffered first-hand, having had three operations already, so this is very close to our lives. There is no cure and can only be managed.
“For women who are diagnosed, and for some this can take some time, it is a battle both mentally and physically.”
Endometriosis is a gynaecological condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other areas of the body, most commonly in the pelvic region.
This tissue responds to hormones in the same way as the lining of the womb, but with no outlet it can cause inflammation, scarring and adhesions, leading to severe pain and many other symptoms.
Chris has set himself a £10,000 fundraising target for the charity.
He will take in London, Paris, Luxembourg, Berlin, Prague, Munich, Innsbruck, Milan, Monte Carlo, Valencia and the south coast of Spain on his travels, meaning that he needs to go over three large mountain ranges – The Alps, Pyrenees and Alpujarras.
Chris said: “I have set myself a two-month window, which means I need to average around 75 miles a day to successfully complete the ride.
“I stress at this stage, I have never been a member of a cycling club or completed any distance cycling further than 60 miles previously, let alone on consecutive days. I will be self-funding the trip, so all money raised will go to Endometriosis UK.”
To support Chris’ fundraising efforts, visit justgiving.com/markun.
