‘When I lost my brother and battled cancer, cycling was a lifeline – now I’m running a marathon to raise funds’
An ex-police officer from Knebworth is running the London Marathon on Sunday 27 April to raise funds for the charity Cycling UK and in memory of his brother.
Ian Wells credits cycling for quickly bouncing back from surgery in his own battle with cancer, but cycling is also a passion he shared with his younger brother, and Ian has been a keen cyclist ever since his childhood.
As I grew older, the bike remained my solace, my connection to those simple, happier times with my brother. It became more than a hobby – it was a constant, a lifeline
When Ian was diagnosed with cancer later in life, the uncertainty and fear of the unknown felt like a weight pressing down on him. But cycling kept him going.
According to Ian’s surgeon, it was his cycling fitness that was key to his recovery. He had strength and endurance, built over years of riding, and that helped him bounce back from surgery faster than expected.
Ian was determined not to let cancer defeat him. Cycling gave him not only physical but also psychological strength. During his battle, there were times when depression threatened to take hold, but the bike was always there, offering him stability.
I could find my peace on two wheels. Sport became my therapy
While Ian was recovering, he drew inspiration from two cycling legends: Sir Chris Hoy and Sir Mark Cavendish. Both have also shown great resilience in the face of adversity, and their stories of triumph kept Ian going when he thought he couldn’t.
That’s why Ian is now, five years in the all-clear, proudly raising funds for national charity Cycling UK, whose mission is to make the UK a truly cycling-friendly nation and enable people to live happier, healthier and greener lives by bike.
Cycling UK does an incredible job promoting not just cycling, but exercise in general. Their support, their message, is one of inclusion, enjoyment and wellbeing, and I’m a life member
I’m filled with a sense of excitement for what comes next. Instead of ‘honking’ those 26 miles, I’m preparing for something even greater – I am going to run them
Jenny Jackson, Head of Fundraising at Cycling UK, said:
“Every time one of our supporters chooses to raise money for our charity, they are helping fund a better, safer and more accessible future for cycling in the UK.
“Taking on the London Marathon is no small feat, and we’re incredibly proud and grateful to have such dedicated fundraisers in our corner. Ian’s effort will fuel real change on the ground and in the saddle and we’ll be cheering him on when he gets to the start line.”
If you’d like to donate towards Ian’s campaign, please visit his London Marathon fundraising page.
