Determined cyclist George Southgate is preparing for an extraordinary 600-mile journey from Berlin to London to combat the disease that took his father's life. The 28-year-old insurance underwriter is leading a 27-strong team on the gruelling cross-border expedition to raise £100,000 for The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR). Driven by heartbreak but inspired by his late dad Mike's immense positivity, George is turning personal grief into a powerful mission to help other families facing a cancer diagnosis.
Inspired by His Father's Legacy
Mike Southgate was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in April 2020. He underwent treatment for almost two years, facing his cancer with unwavering positivity, optimism, and humour. His selfless attitude towards life and others inspired George to complete this extraordinary fundraising challenge to keep his legacy alive.
George recalls: "In the final stages of my dad's illness and after trying a variety of harsh treatments, he wanted to take part in a clinical trial. He knew there was little chance it would improve his own prognosis but instead could help clinicians gain greater understanding into bowel cancer and the specific mutations present during his illness. Unfortunately, he was too ill to participate, but his attitude towards furthering research and the belief that this could improve the outlook for many bowel cancer patients is what has driven me to support The Institute of Cancer Research."
A Proven Fundraiser
George is no stranger to challenges. In June 2022, he raised over £18,000 for the ICR when he cycled from London to Paris with three others in memory of his dad. Now, from July 5 to 10, he will cycle from Berlin to London, passing through Germany and the Netherlands, then taking a ferry to the UK before finishing outside the ICR's labs in Chelsea. The route covers rural countryside, small towns, and villages, with George planning to travel about 100 miles a day.
George has recruited 26 adventurers, including colleagues from the insurance industry to honour Mike's 40-year career in that sector. His cousin Ben, who lost his mother to breast cancer in 2023, will also join the ride. The family knows the devastation of cancer well: George's grandfather died from acute myeloid leukaemia in 2018, and his uncle died from osteosarcoma at age 47.
Turning Grief into Positive Action
George says: "Seeing the impact of their illnesses on each of them and their deaths on my family has been very difficult. But knowing there will be more families in the same situation, directly raising funds for research feels like a positive, tangible step in the face of something so negative. Ultimately this challenge is just my small way of trying to help reduce the number of individuals suffering with cancer and the families who are broken apart by it."
Many participants are not experienced cyclists—just people willing to train hard. George aims to bring together cyclists and non-cyclists for an exciting but difficult challenge, creating an opportunity for those affected by cancer to make a positive difference.
Remembering His Father on the Road
As George pedals, his father will be at the forefront of his mind: "When my dad was diagnosed with cancer, the outlook was devastating from the start—he was told he had only weeks to live. Nevertheless, through treatment, determination, and some luck, he lived for almost two more years. In hindsight, this alone is testament to the man he was, and his ability to withstand an overwhelmingly difficult situation, all while remaining positive, warm, and loving. Despite knowing he had an incurable diagnosis, his death at just 59 was a major shock, and it is still very difficult to come to terms with. Not a day goes by that I don't think of my dad and how much my mum, my sister, and I miss him. So, I will inevitably be thinking about him as I ride. This will spur me on, as will the thought of the many others who have died or suffered because of cancer. But I'll also be thinking of those who have successfully won their battle with cancer, knowing they benefited from previous research, and how with each mile we cycle, we will be raising money to fund future research to benefit many more."
George hopes to raise over £100,000 for the ICR's pioneering work, which focuses on making bowel cancer more preventable, predictable, and treatable.
Support from the ICR
Sarah Castleman, sports and challenge events manager at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: "Having George's support once again is fantastic. He has already done so much in his father's memory, and we can't wait to celebrate with him and the team this July. Cycling 600 miles over six days from Berlin to London will be tough, but we know the whole group is incredibly passionate and motivated to make the biggest impact in memory of Mike. I feel honoured to be joining them for the final 90 miles on day six into London and I can't wait to cross the finish line at the ICR's Chester Beatty Laboratories alongside them. Every pound raised helps drive our research forward, and every mile brings us closer to a future where cancer can be defeated."
