Milford grandfather spends four years cycling the distance equivalent to circumnavigating the globe in aid of Oakhaven Hospice and Piam Brown Children’s Cancer Unit

INSPIRED by the care his daughter received as she battled cancer, Milford grandfather Noel “Ozzie” Osborne has spent the last four years cycling the distance equivalent to circumnavigating the globe.

Noel’s fundraising is dedicated to the memory of his daughter Jo Rivron, who died of cancer in March 2022. It has seen him cover around 500 miles each month since the pandemic began.

In the beginning, Noel initially aimed to cover a distance of 8,700 miles – the equivalent of travelling from the UK to Trinidad and back to raise money for the charities that supported Jo and her family during her illness.

However, after finishing this challenge, Noel decided to continue in a bid to cover 24,901 miles – the equivalent of cycling around the globe.

All the money raised from his challenge will be divided between Oakhaven Hospice and Piam Brown Children’s Cancer Unit at Southampton General Hospital.

Noel said: “In early 2015 our daughter Joanna was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer, and she passed away in March 2022 after her long battle, at the age of 40, leaving behind her husband Christian, and two daughters Matilda (12) and Amelie (9).

During her illness, Jo was supported by a number of charities, but Noel says Oakhaven was the most significant.

“She spent most of her last three months, including her last days, there,” said Noel, continuing: “She even referred to Oakhaven as ‘home’ when it was time to go back after spending her last Christmas at home with us.”

In addition to dealing with Jo’s illness, Jo’s daughter Matilda was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2020 and subsequently underwent a two-and-a-half year treatment plan at Piam Brown Children’s Cancer Unit at Southampton General Hospital.

Noel said: “The care they gave her was fantastic, and she is now doing well and her life is back on track. Many of the support facilities for the children and parents are made available through the Piam Brown charity.”

It was during the first lockdown in March 2020 that Noel began daily bike rides in the New Forest, and after passing 5,000 miles he turned these daily outings into the ‘Trinidad Challenge’ to cover 8,700 miles.

This raised £30,000 for charity but Noel, whose parents were born on the Caribbean island, was keen to continue cycling, and after reaching 15,000 miles he set his sights on his new around the world target of 24,901 miles.

Noel said: “In four years, I have cycled every day, rain or shine, with a weekly target of around 120 miles, averaging 500 miles a month.”

As well as raising money Noel says cycling has also helped him deal with the loss of his daughter.

He added: “Now it’s time to move forward, and I now need to swap many of those lonely hours on my bike, for more time with my family and friends. It’s been nearly four years, with many cold, wet winter rides, including one in a thunderstorm.”

To support Noel’s challenge visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ozziecyclestheworld