Wakefield man cycles 100 kilometres in memory of friend

A Wakefield man has cycled more than 100km and raised £700 for Yorkshire Cancer Research in memory of his friend as part of the Selby Three Swans Sportive event.

Ian Milburn decided to raise funds for Yorkshire Cancer Research after losing his friend, Martin Beedle, to liver cancer in 2021.

He said: “I’ve always been active in my life, and I’ve done loads of different charity events over the years. When Martin died last year, I knew that I wanted to do something to raise money for a cancer charity.

“I’d done the Selby Three Swans event a few years ago and it was a ride that I really enjoyed, so I’d always thought about doing it again. When I saw that it was running again in 2022, the two things went hand in hand. I could raise funds for Yorkshire Cancer Research in memory of Martin and complete a route that I really like.”

Ian and Martin were friends for more than 30 years, after meeting when Martin got a job at the school where Ian taught.

Ian said: “He was my best friend at the school, and we kept in touch after we retired. We were both interested in music and going to concerts and were in a band together.

“Martin was really well thought of at the school. Part of his role at the school was to train new teachers, and he was very supportive and helpful to all staff. He was the kind of bloke that you could go to with a problem, and he would be there to help you and would always keep it to himself. He was a genuine, decent guy.”

Martin’s popularity amongst fellow teachers and past pupils meant that when Ian told them he was going to complete the Selby Three Swans to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research, he was overwhelmed with support.

The 71-year-old continued:

“All I had to do was get in touch with some of our old colleagues and they all rallied round. I raised £700 for the charity, so we did well in remembering him and I was really pleased with the amount raised.”

The Selby Three Swans Sportive is an annual cycling event held in Selby, where cyclists can complete routes of either 48km, 108km or 161km, all of which display the best scenery North Yorkshire has to offer.

Ian said: If someone was thinking about getting involved in the Selby Three Swans or doing an event to raise funds for Yorkshire Cancer Research, I’d said ‘get stuck in and get it done’.”