I'm Gonna Ride (500 Miles)

May 08, 2025 - May 16, 2025

I'm Gonna Ride (500 Miles)

I'm Gonna Ride (500 Miles)

Mark Wright

In May 2025, I'm going to cycle from London to Edinburgh over 7 days. I'm aiming to raise £5000 each for two amazing charities: Crohn's and Colitis UK, and Fertility Network UK. Both charities have personal significance for me...

I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in 2002. The first years were difficult, with bad symptoms and many types of treatment tried and failed. In 2005, I had a temporary ileostomy to give my large intestine a break, with the hope that this would be reversed in the future. In 2011, this was reversed, but the condition came back, and in 2014 I had the majority of my large intestine removed, resulting in me having a stoma for life. In 2023, I had the rectum removed too, and this hopefully means that no more surgery will be required. The condition is currently treated by vedolizumab, which I take every fortnight by self-injection. Crohn's and Colitis UK work to raise awareness of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, and to work for improvements in diagnosis, treatment and care for those who have the condition.

My wife Kay and I got married in 2015, and we wanted to start a family together, but were unable to conceive naturally. That began a journey of IVF that lasted 8.5 years in total. We were fortunate to get a few rounds on the NHS, and also did a few self-funded rounds too. We experienced failed rounds, miscarriage, hope and disappointment - it's a brutal journey to go on. In 2020, we were overjoyed to welcome our daughter Eden from one round. She has brought such happiness to our lives, but this doesn't take away from the hurt and grief that we feel from rounds that were unsuccessful. Infertility affects so many people, and isn't often talked about. Fertility Network UK works to support people whose lives have been affected by infertility.

Follow the build-up to the ride on this page, and via Instagram (@mrmarkdwright).

Supporting

Crohn's & Colitis UK Logo
Crohn's & Colitis UK

Health | 1117148

50%

Crohn's and Colitis are lifelong conditions. They are painful, debilitating, and many people suffer in silence throughout their lives. But we're here for you, every step of the way.

Fertility Network UK Logo
Fertility Network UK

Health | 1099960

50%

Fertility Network UK provides free and impartial support, advice, information and understanding for anyone affected by fertility issues. We are the nation’s leading patient-focused fertility charity and are here on a practical and emotional level whatever your experience of fertility issues to offer support services, information and access to a community of people affected by fertility problems

Supporters 26

  • D

    3 hours, 2 minutes

    Doug & Julie

    Hope the weather is kind to you. All the best for your epic trip

    £ 50.00

  • L

    2 days, 11 hours

    Laura

    Best of luck on your journey!

    £ 30.00

  • D

    2 days, 17 hours

    David P

    £ 20.00

    (+£5.00) Gift Aid
  • A

    3 days

    Alan Steven

    Well done Mark! A truly fantastic effort!

    £ 50.00

    (+£12.50) Gift Aid
  • C

    3 days, 4 hours

    Claire, Hugo and Ellie

    So impressed by this - all the best!

    £ 10.00

    (+£2.50) Gift Aid
  • T

    3 days, 5 hours

    The Browns

    This is amazing, Mark! Well done and ride well. Colin, Alison and family

    £ 50.00

    (+£12.50) Gift Aid
  • F

    3 days, 8 hours

    Fiona C

    Great causes

    £ 20.00

    (+£5.00) Gift Aid
  • K

    3 days, 9 hours

    Kirsty

    Amazing.

    £ 20.00

    (+£5.00) Gift Aid
  • S

    3 days, 10 hours

    Sarah Miller

    A donation from my dad Mark. Good luck. Heart warming reading your story

    £ 10.00

  • T

    4 days, 2 hours

    The Harkins' family

    Such great causes to raise money for, best of luck with the cycle we'll be rooting for you! From Holly's Mum, Dad and Granny

    £ 40.00

    (+£10.00) Gift Aid
  • i

    4 days, 7 hours

    iesha

    £ 20.00

    (+£5.00) Gift Aid
  • S

    4 days, 9 hours

    Sarah Miller

    Best of luck Mark

    £ 10.00

  • P

    5 days, 2 hours

    Phil Kennedy

    Good luck, 2 great causes.

    £ 5.00

    (+£1.25) Gift Aid
  • T

    5 days, 8 hours

    The Cope family

    Great causes - we’ll follow along on Instagram. Harrison will love to see Eden’s daddy's challenge!

    £ 20.00

    (+£5.00) Gift Aid
  • M

    5 days, 8 hours

    Milly

    Best of luck Mark!

    £ 150.00

  • P

    1 week, 2 days

    Pauline

    Good luck, Mark! You'll deserve a yellow jersey at the end!

    £ 20.00

    (+£5.00) Gift Aid
  • C

    1 week, 3 days

    Calvin Smith

    Good Luck Mark!

    £ 20.00

    (+£5.00) Gift Aid
  • L

    2 weeks, 6 days

    Laura and Andrea

    We hope you do "wheely" well! Xx

    £ 20.00

  • A

    3 weeks, 3 days

    Anonymous

    £ 10.00

    (+£2.50) Gift Aid
  • C

    1 month, 1 week

    Craig Forsyth

    👍

    £ 20.00

  • 8%

    £830.00

    + £98.75 Gift Aid

    £10,000 target | 26 supporters

    £0.00

     Offline donations

    Charities Supporting

    Crohn's & Colitis UK

    50%

    Fertility Network UK

    50%

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    May 08, 2025 - May 16, 2025

    I'm Gonna Ride (500 Miles)

    In May 2025, I'm going to cycle from London to Edinburgh over 7 days. I'm aiming to raise £5000 each for two amazing charities: Crohn's and Colitis UK, and Fertility Network UK. Both charities have personal significance for me... I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in 2002. The first years were difficult, with bad symptoms and many types of treatment tried and failed. In 2005, I had a temporary ileostomy to give my large intestine a break, with the hope that this would be reversed in the future. In 2011, this was reversed, but the condition came back, and in 2014 I had the majority of my large intestine removed, resulting in me having a stoma for life. In 2023, I had the rectum removed too, and this hopefully means that no more surgery will be required. The condition is currently treated by vedolizumab, which I take every fortnight by self-injection. Crohn's and Colitis UK work to raise awareness of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, and to work for improvements in diagnosis, treatment and care for those who have the condition. My wife Kay and I got married in 2015, and we wanted to start a family together, but were unable to conceive naturally. That began a journey of IVF that lasted 8.5 years in total. We were fortunate to get a few rounds on the NHS, and also did a few self-funded rounds too. We experienced failed rounds, miscarriage, hope and disappointment - it's a brutal journey to go on. In 2020, we were overjoyed to welcome our daughter Eden from one round. She has brought such happiness to our lives, but this doesn't take away from the hurt and grief that we feel from rounds that were unsuccessful. Infertility affects so many people, and isn't often talked about. Fertility Network UK works to support people whose lives have been affected by infertility. Follow the build-up to the ride on this page, and via Instagram (@mrmarkdwright).

    Charities Supporting

    Crohn's & Colitis UK

    50%

    Fertility Network UK

    50%