Ride for Ian
Ian and I go back a long way. He was born Thursday 3rd February 1966 in Sunderland hospital, I arrived the next day, in the next bed. Although our mums didn’t know each other at the time, it transpired that we only lived a few doors away, and so it was that Ian and I became friends for life.
Growing up, we enjoyed endless days with our gang of friends, playing out and having adventures – just as any childhood should be. In the same form classes throughout school in Shiney Row and then Park View in Chester-le-Street, Ian always felt at home in the metalwork workshop. Even from an early age, he was always buried under the bonnet of a car, motorbike or anything mechanical, endlessly tinkering to get the best out of something – this would cement his vocation for later life.
It wasn’t all learning though, he had an amazing ability at distance running, regularly being back, showered and dressed from Cross Country before the rest of the class had finished! A committed vegetarian from 15 years old, in early 80’s Sunderland, it wasn’t the norm!
Putting his passion to good use, Ian started work for the Forestry Commission as a YOP (Youth Opportunities Program) mechanic at Bellingham Workshop in Northumberland, also studying at Gateshead college, always learning. Moving to Peterborough, he got his first management position at the Commission’s Fineshade Workshop in Northamptonshire. Having met Ann on a night out in Newcastle, Ian would regularly travel from Peterborough on a Friday, have a night out with us all in Sunderland at KU Club on the Saturday before heading off to see Ann at college in Carlisle, returning to Peterborough early Monday morning.
Ian was posted to Balnacoul Workshop in Fochabers on the north coast of Scotland in the early ‘90s. Helping him to move the 500 miles from Peterborough to Scotland, following his little MGB in a van, being sprayed with oil was certainly memorable!
Moving finally back to the Bellingham Workshop where it all started, Ian eventually became the Head of Mechanical Engineering for Forestry England. Quite a career for a lad that liked to tinker with cars. Ian and Ann moved to Hexham, were together ever since and have two amazing children, Meghan and Joe. I will always remember Ian as a kind-hearted, gentle person who was dedicated to his family…and his many, many vehicles.
Ian was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer early in 2020. Battling for 2 years with the disease, he died in January 2022, aged 55.
My Pancreatic Cancer UK fundraising ‘Ride for Ian’ retraces that 500 mile journey from the Forestry Commission Workshop in Fineshade, Northamptonshire to the Balnacoul Workshop in Fochabers – this time on a bike and passing via the Bellingham Workshop in Northumberland.
RIDE FOR IAN
Starting Monday 29th May 2023, myself and Max, supported by
Morag and Ann will cycle between the three main offices Ian worked at:
Monday 29th May - Fineshade Workshop, Northampton to York
Tuesday 30th May – York to Shiney Row
Wednesday 31st May – Shiney Row – Bellingham – Edinburgh
Thursday 1st June – Edinburgh to Braemar
Friday 2nd June – Braemar to Balnacoul
5 days 500 miles and 26,000 ft climbing.
My donations could fund...
205 hours with a nurse on our Support Line
or
92 hours of early diagnosis research
My Achievements
I've added a profile picture
Reached 100% of goal
Reached 50% of goal
Shared page
Self donated
My Updates
2 Days to go.........
Two weeks to go!
Update W/E 30.4.23
Training Update w/e 23.4.23
Training Update w/e 16.4.23
Training update W/E 9-4-23
Thank you to my Sponsors
£104
Anonymous
£52
Keith Melbourne
Ian sounds like an amazing guy - I'm sure you must think of him often. An amazing ride for an even more amazing person. Well done.
£20.80
Irene Aird
A lovely guy to work for
£20.80
Steve Shaughnessy
Great ride for a great cause!
£30.16
Martin Watson
Mega!
£52
Brad Blundell
Great hearing about your ride, Martin. And your friend, Ian sounds like he was a very special person who you were very lucky to know and have as a friend.
£20.80
Lorna Black
Had the pleasure of working with Ian, a well liked person.
£20.80
Julie And Rob Hardman
Congratulations and amazing support for the family
£31.20
Helen Robinson
£15.60
Rory Macdonald
£20.80
Anonymous
£10
Ray Cottam
Congratulations to you and Max on completing your challenge and on raising so much for such an important cause. I’m sure your Ian would have been very proud of your efforts. 👏👏👏
£20.80
Daniel Oates
Well done Martin and Max from the lads at M&J
£20.80
Mick Morrison
£10.40
Sharon Thompson
£30.16
Mark Schweiger
Fantastic achievement and great cause!!!
£15.60
Stuart Waugh
Hope the challenge went well. A great cause for a lovely guy. I knew Ian from working in the Forestry at Inverness and had a good few lunch time meetings in the pub nearby as he tried to get Sunderland to Wembley glory!
£20.80
Mike Seddon
£15
Kate Moss
£50
Danny Schweiger
Great work Martin and Max Good Luck !
£5.20
Alexa
Congratulations on completing your ride Martin. What an achievement! Ian would be so proud of what you’ve done and the money you have raised.
£10.40
Samantha Thomas
Well done guys amazing effort you should be proud x 🚴♂️🚴♂️
£20.80
Anonymous
£20.80
Mike Pratt
Well done Martin & Max - an amazing achievement.
£15.60
Jane
Well done. Ian was such a lovely man.
£50
David Barnes
Well done - and it looks a really memorable ride for a very good cause
£5.20
Sam Simpson
£20
Ali And George Beck
£30.16
Peter Dodd #2
Top effort on so many levels.
£10.40
Rick Coulby.
Superb effort . Looks an amazing experience
£104
Norman Bruce
£13.52
David Vennard
super effort. Congratulations
£60.32
Phillip Clegg
Well done. Quite an achievement. My wife and I know Ann through dog training
£30.16
Danny Martin
Great effort , hope you enjoyed every mile of it 👏
£10.40
Dave Chapman
Such a great cause. Well done Martin and Max.
£10
Lewis O'brien
£50
Anonymous
Well done
£30
Adi
Amazing effort from all of you! Ian was an absolute gem of a person ❤️
£104
Sarah & John Mclennan
Well done, Ian would be proud.
£52
Meghan
£60.32
Dianne Hood
£29
Dan Gooding
Fabulous effort chaps. Chapeau!
£40
Christine Pert
£10.40
Nikki Hamlett
£10.40
Bob Mcpartland
£30.16
Nettie Heaton
So proud, xxxxx
£20.80
Jon Wild
Fantastic effort for a great cause. Chapeau to you and Max.
£100
Anonymous
Amazing effort both of you
£13.52
Justin Wilson
Good luck Martin! 🚴🚴🚴
£20
Rob (meadway)
Good luck Martin - and enjoy the ride.
£20.80
Caro And Lyds
Donated with love and in memory of Ian. We miss you.
£10
Jennifer
Absolutely in awe of you both, taking on this huge challenge. The route so well planned and so emotional I should think. Life often seems very unfair, and we all should appreciate our good health whist we have it, and strive to make the best of everything. Well done & congratulations!
£13.52
Sally Hutt
Good luck with the cycle ride - sorry to miss you in Bellingham but it was a WFH day for me.
£20
Stuart Kinsey
£10
Amy T
Keep in cranking, nearly there!
£10
Mathew Henderson
Fantastic job great to meet you all today. I hope you got your ice cream!
£20.80
Joanne Murray
Great seeing you at Bellingham this morning, keep it up you are doing great!
£50
Franke Uk Ltd
Good luck!
£20.80
Anonymous
£30.16
George Powditch
£10
Jim P
Good luck!
£20
Linda Clark
Good luck.
£20.80
Adam Dobson
Good luck guys
£30
Richard Buxton
Hope all goes well and sure you will smash it
£20.80
Paul Thompson
Good luck Martin. Looks like the weather gods are on your side. A very worthy cause.
£15.60
Johanna Stephenson
Good luck lads. Cycle safely and I know you will both smash it. Such a worthwhile cause and your fundraiser is going so well. Wishing you string legs and a following wind xx
£10.40
Dale Maclachlan
I enjoyed working with Ian - he was professional, friendly and always willing to help. Good luck on your journey for a very worthwhile cause.
£8.32
Ella Hashemi
£20.80
Helen Plumb
All the very best to both of you on your mega ride up north! From Brian and Helen
£26
Brian Adams
Good luck Martin and Max.....amazing venture.
£20.80
Kev Brown
Good luck Martin & Max. Enjoy the ride. I know how proud you will feel with each push of the pedals! A true friendship. X
£10.40
Angela Berry
Good luck Martin I’m sure you will smash it
£29
Mr.tim Wood
£20.80
Elizabeth Thomas
What a lovely cause for this horrid disease, and in honour of your friend Ian, sadly missed. Good luck to all.
£8.32
Steve Loxam
Good luck martin
£104
Morag Girdwood
I'm super proud of you both - enjoy the ride and let's make Ian proud too - love you xx
£20.80
Clive
All the best to you both for a great cause.
£52
Alison And Alan - Elgin
Thinking of Ann and family at this time. All the best to you guys taking part.
£20
Karen And Jon Bale
You will smash this Martin and Max especially with Morag behind you. 🤞 weather and wind stay kind for you. Best of all remember your friend and all those you are going to help
£20.80
Angela B
All the best you guys - it’s a great thing you are doing
£5
Alex Slater
Good luck 🚴👍🏻
£10.40
James Dobson
Good luck to the both of you
£10.40
Michael Weightman
£25
Jonathan Hamburger
good cause and i wish you all the best with the ride JonH
£26
Catherine Carr
In memory of a kind, talented, lovely brother in law, taken far too soon. Best of luck for the cycle ride and also to the support team.
£10
Catherine Lawrence
Good luck. It’s so brilliant you are doing this in memory of Ian. Love Catherine, Nigel &Sophie xx
£10.40
Karen Dobson
Go Martin n Max 👍xxx
£5.20
Neil Elliott
Good luck, Neil (mate of Martin's)
£15.60
Sarah
Good luck guys! Great effort and a very worthy cause
£10.40
Helen Hall
Good Luck Martin and Max x
£8.32
Anthony Wheeldon
Done Martin. So pleased to see you smashing up your training buddy. Superstar keep it going buddy 👍
£10
Grace
Good luck Martin and Max! X
£20.80
Anonymous
£20.80
Roisin O’neill
£50
Alastair
BEst wishes for good weather and a smooth ride
£29
Anonymous
£5.20
Clifford Tobin
Good Luck from Ze Tobin’s 🚴♂️
£8.32
Anonymous
Great cause.
£8.32
Philip
Good luck Martin. Great cause.
£20.80
Alex Waddington
Good luck Martin x
£60.32
Martin & Lynn
£10.40
Nick Osborne
Good luck Martin!
£26
Roy
Good luck Martin & Max
£10.40
Anonymous
£15.60
Simon Reuben
Good luck Martin and Max.
£12
Alice Wilde
£30.16
David Nuttall
Best wishes to Martin, Max, Ann & Morag, suspect it will be emotional but hugely rewarding in many ways.
£15
James Latham
wishing you both the best of luck for the ride 🚲
£20.80
Janice Orrock
Worked with Ian at FESHO as it was great guy.
£5
James Paterson
Good luck... great sentiment about your friend Ian and great cause.
£104
Ali G
Well done and good luck with the folks. Please email with an estimated ETA at Balnacoul I would love to meet you. Ian was my manager at Balnacoul and an utter gentleman who was always willing to help, ❤ to Ann, Meghan and Joe.
£10.40
Lorna Gardner
Good luck with your fundraiser for Ian. Loved working with Ian or just his visited to Highlander office. Everyone liked him and loved working with him. Good luck Lorna G x
£5
Donna Mortimer
So sorry i have only just heard that Ian has passed away. Worked with Ian when i first joined Forestry Commission and i was gutted when he left for England. What a great fella and so sad to be taken so young. Good luck on the cycle.xx
£31.20
Malcolm Littler
£15.60
Alastair Young
£13
Thomas Hornbuckle
Best of luck! Tom
£13.52
Kate Westerby
Good luck to both, what an incredible adventure for such a worthy cause
£52
Alan & Adele Hodari
A very worthwhile cause, good luck Martin
£10
Sarah Cowan
I had the pleasure in working with Ian at FC, Bellingham Workshops. Good luck to you both on your journey.
£15.60
Tom Ashpitel
Good luck on the cycle… although i doubt you’ll need it!
£20
Phil Bancroft
Well done to both of you, amazing achievement.
£29
Angela Leonard
£52
Phil Shirley
Good luck lads!
£26
James Wright
Best of luck Martin!
£15.60
Jo Paul And Lucy Snell
Good luck martin and max. Great cause and great challenge. Jo Paul and Lucy
£36.40
Brendan Treanor
A very worthy cause Martin! Be safe on your ride.
£8.32
Vivienne Boylan
£20.80
Damian Whyatt
Gonna be an immense ride. Best of luck to all of you
£20.80
Dave Jones
Wishing you and Max all the best. You have our full support from the Jones family. Good luck.
£60.32
Nikesh Vallabh
Wishing you the best for the ride, a great cause you are raising money for. Smash the ride!!
£5.20
Emma Bailey
Good luck guys
£50
Michael, Jenny Et Al
£50
#teamgeorge
All the best on your ride to both of You. Well prepared so just enjoy the journey for a great cause.
£20.80
Fergus Brady
Have a great ride Martin
£27.04
Nick Cavill
£1 for every 1,000 feet…Go boys!
£104
Ann, Meg And Joe Hood
Good luck in this mega cycle ride, its going to make a fantastic difference to those newly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and with poignant memories of such a lovely man.
£20.80
Hilary &jim
Making a difference. xx
£30.16
Joanne Pichel
Best of luck Max and Martin x
£52
Tracey Taylor
Good luck Team Girdwood! Avoid the pot holes and take care. Tx
£20.80
Val Dodd
Good luck Martin & Max..👍🏻
£20.80
Anonymous
£20.80
Jeannette Bashich
Good luck to you both. Great cause. You’ve inspired me to get back out on my bike!
£26
Tony Heil
All the very best for an extremely worthy cause! Good luck!
£10.40
Jonny Morgan
All the best for the ride Martin. You'll smash it 👊
£20
Helen & Nick
£26
Gloria Bell
Good luck, keep safe what a wonderful tribute to Ian x
£41.60
Darren Hayes
Martin, although I didn’t know Ian I know what it’s like to lose a lifelong friend too soon. Good luck on the ride. Hope the weather stays fine for you.
£10
Dominic Tinner
Great ride for such a close friend.
£10.40
Sarah Austerberry
Good luck!
£20.80
Neil Jones
Good luck both. Such an important cause
£3
Janet Banks
£52
Sue And Geoff Reason
All the best for your training and fundraising- what an amazing cause !
£13.52
Jan B
Martin & Max, I’m sending you all my best wishes for your epic challenge and continued support for your training schedule. By doing this, you are making a difference to so many lives that are affected by this cruel disease. Keep strong and do what you do best- give it everything to have. Good luck to you both.
£15.60
Sarah Jean
Good Luck with the ride Martin & Max may the weather be kind! And Morag & Ann supporting
£5.20
Anonymous
Good Luck Martin
£10.40
Janet
Fabulous event such a kind and selfless thing to do. You clearly care a great deal for Ian and his family. My very best wishes, Janet
£20.80
Nige Hux
Kudos pal, Safe riding for you and Max 🤞🏼
£20.80
Paul Cummins Woodford
Great cause Martin. So sorry for the loss of Ian - all the best of luck 🤞
£25
Phil Cottrill
Good luck Martin! Great cause! Ride well
£30
Liz Lightley Buttress
Hi Martin , So sorry to hear Ian had passed away last year. You obviously had an amazing friendship and this is a really touching tribute to Ian whilst raising money for a good cause . Wishing you all a safe journey. Liz xxx
£70
Shirley Girdwood
To my two favourite people. Good Luck on your sponsor cycle for Ian. He was taken far too young. £20 is from Jean Mearman
£52
Bev Raistrick
A fantastic thing to do in memory of our wonderful friend
£52
Chris Corrigan
Awesome ride for a VERY good cause. Great effort 💪🏻
£20
Viv & Bob
What a wonderful tribute to your friend, well done all of you! Xx
£50
Mick And Jane
Good luck to Martin and Max for an epic ride. Remembering Ian a good friend, and to help get rid of pancreatic cancer. Will be rooting for you.
£50
Kate & Pete
Good luck Martin & Max, Lots of love
£20.80
Stephen Barksby
Good luck - it’s a wonderful thing you’re doing, Ian was a lovely lad.
£20
Jo Crowther
Good luck team Girdwood!😊xx
£10
Heather Raistrick
£50
Matt Widdall
Good luck Martin. I’m sure you’ll be inspired by the great cause when things get tough.
£20.80
Peter Carmichael
£60.32
Anonymous
Amazing cause Martin. My mam died of pancreatic cancer- it’s a horrible disease. Ian was gone way too young. Take care. Jill ( David Willis’s older sister) All the best for your ride.
£20.80
Alison Kitchingman
Good luck Martin. Great cause. Close to my heart.
£30.16
Sharon & Tom Kilpatrick
Outstanding show of love and support Marty Posh, true friendship lives forever. All our love & support .. see you when you get to Edinburgh xxx
£26
Alec Mc.
Hats off to you Martin - A great tribute to your friend.
£10.40
Jean Rutter
Good luck Martin I’m sure Ian will be with you every step of the journey xxx
£51
Dharmesh Mehta
All the best Martin
£20.80
Paul Robinson
Good luck guys!
£20
Sally Lambert
Great cause Martin
£100
Fadi Kabbani
All the very best. Good luck
£26
Luke & Will
Good luck Martin! Luke & Will
£15
Paul Whittingham
£20.80
Alyson Swift
Good luck to Martin and Max
£13.52
Dominic Scally
Good luck Girwood team!
£52
Ann Hood
Good look.
£41.60
Yvonne, Gibb And Mikey
So lovely of you to do this. Hope it goes well x
£30.16
Matt Holmes
£13.52
Toby Gold
Good luck Martin, Morag and Max. Very moving story and such a harsh cancer
£20
Nick J
Best of luck gents 👍🏻
£20.80
Dan Gooding
Good luck mate. Get on with it though, I might need someone to fix my bike.
£20
Sue And Phil
Good luck Max and Martin.
£52
Ang , Steve And Girls Xxx
Go for it Team Girdwood! Wishing you all the best Martin (and Max) Mo and Ann on your epic ride . You’ve spoke about Ian and your friendship Martin - hope that will help you through your challenge 😘😘 go smash it Martin x
£8.32
Janine And Ollie
£26
Mark Burns
Good luck Martin and Max
£20
Hackney Adrian
£20.80
Lorraine Brewis
Pancreatic Cancer is an awful disease and I am so sorry to read about the loss of your friend Ian, you certainly had a wonderful friendship and I am sure he will be with you on your journey. God speed.
£10.40
Anonymous
£52
