Mansfield Town cyclists help raise £150,000 for Prostate Cancer

Cyclists from Mansfield Town helped the Football League raise around £150,000 for Prostate Cancer after a gruelling 150-mile bike ride from London to Amsterdam at the weekend.
The Mansfield Town cyclists who raised money for Prostate Cancer.The Mansfield Town cyclists who raised money for Prostate Cancer.
The Mansfield Town cyclists who raised money for Prostate Cancer.

The club’s head of media and communications Mark Stevenson, Doug Carroll, better known as club mascot Sammy the Stag, and Stephen Radford, brother of Stags’ chairman John Radford were among an estimated 150 cyclists to make the trip.

Riders, representing almost every Football League member club set off from Leyton Orient’s Matchroom Stadium at 7.30am on Friday morning before heading through the rural Suffolk countryside to Harwich to catch an overnight ferry to the Netherlands.

On Saturday, they cycled a further 60 miles to the Amsterdam Arena, home of four-time European Cup winners Ajax, before returning home the following day.

“We are extremely proud to have represented the club and help the League raise a remarkable amount of money which will benefit others suffering with prostate cancer,” said Mark Stevenson.

“The journey certainly wasn’t without its trials and tribulations - I came off, got sunstroke and went the wrong way at one point - but it was worth it to experience the great sense of satisfaction when arriving at the finish line in Amsterdam.

“We’re hugely grateful to all who sponsored us, as well as the messages of support and congratulations received.”

After completing over 100 miles, Stephen Radford was forced to withdraw after being told by the event’s doctors to pull out because of a knee injury sustained on the first day.

Mark estimates the Mansfield team has so far contributed around £2,500 to the cause.

You can still donate to help increase the team’s fundraising by heading to www.justgiving.com/mansfieldtownfc