Andrew (second from left) with his team mates - and Eric Morecambe - at the start of the ride
Vet Raises £2,000 For Type 1 Diabetes Charity With Coast To Coast Cycle Ride
9 years ago 
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Vet Andrew Draper from the Oak House Veterinary Centre in Mapperley has raised almost £2,000 for a the charity JDRF, by cycling Coast to Coast from Morecambe on the West coast to Whitby on the East coast. He undertook the three-day ride on 4, 5 and 6 June with his brother Jonathan, and colleagues from Oak House Veterinary Centre and the White Rose Clinic in York.
Four years ago, Andrew's then eight year old son, Jack, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Since then, he has had to have insulin therapy to keep him alive. Initially he was treated with four injections a day and, more recently, through an insulin pump. JDRF is a charity which works to improve the lives of people with Type 1 Diabetes and funds research for a cure.
Commenting on his cycling feat, Andrew said: "Jack's diagnosis has had a massive effect on him and our whole family. Through it all, we have faced the disease together and Jack has showed incredible bravery in dealing with a lifelong illness.
"I'd done some mountain biking but had never done road cycling until the idea for the Coast to Coast ride came up. I thought it would be a great way to raise funds for JDRF so bought a road bike and started pounding the country lanes around Woodborough where I live.
"The ride was fantastic - brutal in places, especially across the Yorkshire Moors - but we were a great team and kept each other going. My family, including Jack, came with us in the support car, handing out Mars bars and other rations when needed.
"The best bit was the final stretch when I all I could think about was fish and chips on Whitby Quay - they were the best fish and chips I've ever eaten! It was a great experience though and I'd like to thank everyone who has supported us so generously. They have contributed to a great cause and we are already planning our next ride!"
Andrew's Justgiving page is still open at https://www.justgiving.com/andrewsdraper/
Oak House Veterinary Centre is based at 333 Plains Road, Mapperley, and can be contacted on 0115 966 7920.
For further information:
Rebecca George
George PR
Tel: 01449 737281/07974 161108
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