# Cyclist's brother completes a heart-breaking ride

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/07/20/cyclist039s-brother-completes-heartbreaking-ride/
- Published: 2006-07-20T08:32:51+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The brother of a terminally ill man, Peter Thomas, has completed a 1,000-mile bike
ride with a team of friends, a trek that was inspired by Peter to raise awareness
and funds for the rare form of cancer that struck him down.

‘It was a heart-rending decision to go on this ride, because while this was something
that Peter was adamant that we finish, I knew that with each turn of my pedals I
was being taken further away from his bedside, at a time when I really should have
been there,’ said Wayne Thomas, Peter’s brother.

Peter, who has had his stomach, spleen, left adrenal gland and most of his pancreas
removed because of this disease, known as GIST, or gastrointestinal stromal tumours,
had planned to lead the Lands End to John O’Groats trek himself.

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But his condition has deteriorated over the past few weeks to such an extent that
even keeping up with the team of cyclists in a support vehicle was not an option.
Peter is now being cared for in a hospice close to his home in Woking, Surrey.

He said last week: ‘I’m an ordinary man, and this team comprises other ordinary 
people who simply share a commitment to raise £250,000 to support research into 
GIST.’

Experts estimate that about 5,000 GIST cases are diagnosed each year. It’s a relatively
recently identified cancer that needs extensive and ongoing research, and that is
why Peter organized this ambitious trip.

The team is sponsored by Peter’s medical insurer, Standard Life Healthcare, with
two senior employees involved – one cycling and one as part of the support team 
for the whole trip. The trip began on the 10th July and was completed yesterday 
within the target of 10 days. People can find out more and donate by visiting [www.gistinfo.com.](http://www.gistinfo.com)

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