Enfield businessman rides to Paris in memory of mother (From Enfield Independent)
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Enfield businessman David Gakhar rides to Paris in memory of mother
1:50pm Saturday 25th August 2012 in News By Hermione Wright
David Gakhar training for his charity cycle
An Enfield businessman will cycle from London to Paris to raise money for a hospice that cared for his late mother.
David Gakhar, of Uvedale Road in Enfield Town, is taking on the 500km trek to thank the North London Hospice which cared for his mother while she battled lung cancer.
Mr Gakhar, who is the managing director of Enfield-based building contractors Underpin and Makegood, said: “My mother sadly passed away at North London Hospice last year from lung cancer.
“They were so good not only to her but to our whole family unit with dedicated support. I felt I wanted to do something in return.
“All the staff treated both my mum and our family with the utmost respect and dignity and provided special care to all of us at a time of need. In short, they were wonderful.”
The 48-year-old, who will set off on Wednesday, September 5, has already raised almost £3,900 from donations, but would like to raise as much cash as possible for the good cause.
He hopes the money will contribute to the hospice’s new day care centre which opened on Thursdays in Barrowell Green in Winchmore Hill last week.
The centre will gradually work towards opening five days a week once an extra £300,000 is sourced.
He added: “I've never done anything of this scale. I have run the London Marathon a few times, but feel this, for me, will be harder but I am always up for a challenge.
“I'm doing my bit now to raise some money which I hope will benefit other families who find themselves in a similar situation.”
He has been training for his epic ride for the past four months and hopes to be back in Enfield in just three days.
The North London Hospice is a charity which largely relies on donations to provide practical, spiritual and emotional care for people with life-threatening illnesses.
To visit Mr Gakhar's fundraising page, click here .
