Press Release: Legacy Hotels and Resorts backing JOGLE charity mission

A Lancashire man is set to get on his bike and cycle the length of the country to help beat blood cancer.

Alex Buckland from Darwen is to cycle 960 miles from John O’Groat’s to Land’s End to raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

The inspiration behind the 25-year-old’s mission is Alex’s friend, Matt, who was diagnosed with Hepatosplenic Lymphoma in March.

And Alex is being backed all the way by leading UK hotel group Legacy Hotels and Resorts which has agreed to become his principal sponsor and is also donating £1,000.

The JOGLE (John O’Groats Lands End) gets going on June 12 next year and en route Alex will be stopping off at the Legacy Preston International Hotel, where his mother Alison is head housekeeper, along with the Charingworth Manor in Gloucestershire, Legacy Rose and Crown Hotel in Salisbury and Legacy Plymouth International Hotel.

Alex, a freelance web developer, said: “I’ve been riding bikes since my grandma taught me at the age of five when I went out with no stabilisers, and I’ve been falling off ever since!

“When my friend Matt was diagnosed with cancer there was really only one thing I could do to help, and that’s ride my bike.

“I’m planning on cycling the route on a single speed bike over the course of 13 days, which means I’ll be doing about 75 miles a day. Some people call the challenge End to End or the JOGLE, and some just call it crazy!

“I’m delighted Legacy Hotels has agreed to be my headline sponsor. I first came across the group when my mum and sister started working at the Legacy Preston International Hotel so when I began looking for a hotel partner for the big ride they were a natural choice.

“Phil Dunn, general manager at the Preston International, immediately jumped on board and I’m delighted the group has confirmed its support and I’m really looking forward to working with the hotels in the run-up to the big event.

“Staying at nice hotels is going to make the ride at least a little easier and the experience of all the staff takes a huge weight off my shoulders, knowing that we will be very well looked after at every stage."

Phil said Legacy Hotels would be throwing its full support behind Alex and his support team.

“Alex will be taking in at least four Legacy Hotels during what is a tremendously hard challenge in aid of a magnificent cause in Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research,” he said.

“The charity receives no government funding and every penny raised will help make a big difference to the lives of patients with blood cancers.”

To find out more about Alex’s JOGLE log on to http://jogle2012.org or email Alex at jogle2012@gmail.com


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