Hassan’s Channel to the Mediterranean challenge
Amateur cycling enthusiast Hassan Pillai is getting ready for his own version of the Tour de France in memory of a close friend.
Hassan is raising funds for St Ann’s as we cared for Sue Butterworth who died last month (July) of breast cancer, aged 48.
The pair became friends when Hassan was a voluntary complementary therapist at The Christie where Sue was undergoing clinical trials as part of her treatment.
Hassan (71) will cycle from the Channel to the Mediterranean on September 28, a two-week adventure that takes him and friends Terry Butler and Jeremy Dick from the port of Caen to Nice.
There they plan to meet their wives and undoubtedly drink a toast to Sue, an art teacher from Chorlton, whose zest for life provided the inspiration for his latest challenge.
Sue was a fabulous person and irrepressible. She even did the design for the cycle jersey for this journey. It was also used on similar expeditions through Ireland and Italy which I undertook in the past two years for other charities and I felt she was on my back, always egging me on during challenging moments.
Sue always had a big smile and retained her humour to the last stages of her life, encouraging everyone to approach their own journey in a positive way. Sue needed the support and care of St Ann's in her last few months. The hospice also supported her husband Cassian and mother Lynn through this very emotionally-challenging period and I'd like to enable the charity to continue with their wonderful work for others in need and in Sue's memory. Hassan Pillai
Hassan is also aiming to raise sponsorship for the Macclesfield Cancer Help Centre of which he is a trustee.
To sponsor Hassan go to justgiving.com/fundraising/hassan-pillai-channel2med-2019.