06 January 2022
Getting young people #BackOnBoard in 2021 would have been so much harder without the incredible support of Medical Support OffShore (MSOS) – now the medical kit and training suppliers are going the extra mile as MSOS Operations Manager, Ben Pitman, joins the Trust Tribe for next year’s gruelling Largs to Cowes ‘Brighter Futures’ Cycle Challenge.
MSOS started supporting the Trust during the pandemic, by donating the proceeds of sales of onboard COVID-19 tests. Then, to keep young people and the team safe in getting back on the water this summer, MSOS donated COVID testing kits to be used on all its sailing and outdoor adventure trips in 2021.
This had a massive impact in no fewer than 315 young people safely benefitting from Trust support last year, either for the first time or after a two-year COVID-enforced break.
As soon as the Trust’s plans for the 600-mile Largs to Cowes ‘Brighter Futures’ Cycle Challenge next June were announced, Ben didn’t hesitate to sign up, while MSOS also came onboard as an event partner.
He said: “I’m always up for a challenge, and the Largs to Cowes ‘Brighter Futures’ Cycle Challenge seemed very well aligned with what MSOS are trying to achieve though our company charity donations.
“I’m a keen cyclist and a few other challenges I’d signed up to had been cancelled due to COVID, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity to get back on the bike.
“I’m most looking forward to meeting the different participants along the way and seeing parts of the country I haven’t explored before. They will be long, tough days but I am sure we will pull through as a team and I think good quality padded cycling shorts are going to be essential!”
Ben will be part of a team of up to 20 riders taking on the incredible eight-day challenge to cycle 600 miles (965 kilometres) between the Trust’s bases in Largs on Scotland’s stunning West Coast to East Cowes on the Isle of Wight from 17-24 June 2022.
Each day, riders will complete between 75-80 miles (120-130km), taking in daunting ascents in the Lake District, the historic beauty of Ironbridge, the picture postcard market town of Ross-on-Wye and the cathedral city of Wells. It finishes in the festival atmosphere of Cowes amidst one the Isle of Wight’s biggest events of the year – the Round the Isle Race.
Now he hopes people will get behind him to help every young person living through and beyond cancer to experience improved mental wellbeing – by being accepted, rediscovering their independence, and feeling optimism for the future – from the magic of Trust trips.
“As well as donating to my Just Giving page, people can also help support me by encouraging me out for a cycle at any given opportunity! I can’t wait to get started.”
There’s still time to join Ben for the Largs to Cowes ‘Brighter Futures’ Cycle Challenge. Find out more and sign up here - Largs to Cowes 'Brighter Futures' Cycle Challenge.
MSOS provides comprehensive, worldwide medical support for an extensive range of clients, based on land, at sea and in the air. For more information visit msos.org.uk