A KEEN cyclist is taking on a huge challenge to help support the charity that was there for him and his family during his wife’s final months in hospital.
Vicente Prensa-Villegas, from Abbotswood estate in Romsey, has begun a 7,000km - approximately 4,350 miles - cycle ride across Spain, where he’s originally from.
The 74-year-old hopes to complete the challenge in 15 days, finishing on September 26, determined to finish for his wife Libby who died at 68 years old, of Aplastic Anaemia in April 2021.
The charitable cyclist is following the pilgrimage route of the Camino de Santiago, known as the Way of St James.
Aplastic Anaemia is a rare condition where the bone marrow fails to produce enough essential blood cells. Approximately two in a million people of the UK population, qualifying the disease as ultra-rare.
The former chemist believed that now was the right time to get behind the charity that is helping people and their families who are impacted by the auto-immune disease. Overcome with emotion, Vincent said: “What a wonderful opportunity to raise money. I’m doing it for them.
“The care for my wife was excellent. Everyone from the trust and the NHS whilst my wife was in hospital was absolutely wonderful and extremely supportive.”
Mr Prensa-Villegas is hoping to raise as much as £5,000 and if he can’t achieve that through donations and sponsorship, the Romsey resident will fulfil the target himself.
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After finishing day four, Vincent said: “I’m very much on track. I have my accommodation booked for every night for two weeks so I have cycle around 40 miles per day to get there.
“It’s going well. I’ve got a very good family, fantastic friends and tell people along El Camino my story and they are contributing. Everyone is wonderful.”
Starting the challenge on September 12, Vincent is keeping his friends and family, including his two daughters, updated along the way with a blog via WhatsApp.
For more on ‘Vincent’s Camino Challenge’ go to theaat.org.uk/fundraisers/vincents-camino-challenge.
And for more on aplastic anaemia go to theaat.org.uk/Pages/Category/about-aplastic-anaemia
The Aplastic Anaemia Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to researching the disease.
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