Jersey dad to cycle the length of Britain in memory of his daughter

Jersey dad Ben Phelps is cycling the length of Britain this month, camping and meeting other bereaved parents while raising money and awareness for Bone Cancer Research.

In 2020 Ben's 11-year-old daughter, Beth, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Ewing Sarcoma, and began chemotherapy in Southampton hospital that Christmas Day.

After nine months of chemotherapy, surgery and finally radiotherapy, Beth received the amazing news that she was all-clear from the disease.

Their family enjoyed nine months together, and a family holiday to Lapland, before the disease returned in the summer of 2022.

It returned so aggressively, the family were told she only had three months left to live.

They made the absolute most of their time together, before she passed peacefully in October 2022.

Since her death, Beth's family and friends have taken on countless fundraising efforts for Bone Cancer Research, whilst supporting each other through and adjusting to the life-changing grief.  

"We wanted to put as much back to fight against the disease that had taken her."

For his next challenge, Ben is cycling just under 1,000 in 14 days:

"We set up a fund called Love Beth. We couldn't think of a better name because we all love Beth, and we said it was also a message from Beth to the people that the fund will help.

"We've done an incredible amount of fundraising over the past few years - hitting the £100,000 mark was a massive milestone.

"This is the biggest challenge I've taken on. I did the Three Peaks (scaling Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowden) - cycling between the mountains - but this one is very personal.

As I go through the country, I'm going to be talking about Beth to other parents and families who've suffered similar losses. 

"I'm also meeting up with the Bone Cancer Research Group in Bristol, and dropping in to The Montgomery Unit at the RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital to see some of the amazing work they're doing there.

"I'm catching up again with Bone Cancer Research in St Helen's, where there are parents and children and families.

"It's to raise money and also awareness as it's a rare disease."

Ben is taking on the cycle on the specifically designed 'Mabel' - named after Beth's favourite cartoon character, carrying everything he needs.

You can follow Ben's journey, from Land’s End to John O’Groats on the Love Beth Facebook Group.  He sets off on 21 June.

"Beth was a wonderful, unique, funny and incredibly clever young lady."

You can donate to Love Beth here, and to Ben's cycle here.