Jonathan Read-Bone, 49, braves torrential rain to raise £1,500 for Diabetes UK

Midweek Herald: Jonathan Read-Bone with his well earned finisher's medalJonathan Read-Bone with his well earned finisher's medal (Image: Archant)

A Seaton man braved torrential weather conditions to complete a marathon cycle ride for Diabetes UK.

Jonathan Read-Bone was inspired to take part in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 bike race for the charity after his mother, Dawn, was diagnosed with the most seves form of the illness - Type 1 - 10 years ago.

Despite encoutnering the tail end of Hurricane Bertha, Jonathan completed the race in just over six hours.

Due to adverse weather conditions that included hours of rain, hail and even thunder storms, Ride100 took the decision to cut out the Surrey Climbs of Box Hill and Leith Hill, as the descents were potentially dangerous.

Jonathan said: “After so much preparation, the weekend came and went in a flash of euphoria. The event was amazing, and afterwards I felt great, much better than I expected.

“The rain was pouring down for a lot of the race, but in the final 15 miles the sun came out, and that brought out more supporters to see me cross the finish line in six hours and 10 minutes.

“I am delighted that all my training paid off, and that I have raised more than £1,500 for Diabetes UK, double my original target. I know how important their work is due to the experience of my mother with Type 1 diabetes.”

The race saw over 20,000 cyclists set off from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and cross the finishing line at The Mall in central London, after a route which took them past the London Eye, Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.

Suzanne Maverick, regional fundraiser for the South West, said: “The conditions on the day were absolutely terrible, and I am so thankful to all our cyclists who battled the conditions to cross the finishing line.

To sponsor Jonathan go to www.justgiving.com/Jonathan-Read-Bone/ and to find out more information about signing up to a fundraising event for Diabetes UK visit www.diabetes.org.uk/Get_involved/Fundraising-events/ or call the Events Fundraising team on 0345 123 2399.