A FRAMPTON Cotterell dad has cycled the equivalent distance to a journey around the world to raise money in memory of his son.
Phil Hodge’s 25-year-old son Jamie died in July 2020, in a road traffic accident in Taiwan, where he was living and working.
Following Jamie’s death, Phil made a pledge that he would cycle the equivalent distance of the entire circumference of the Earth at its equator – 24,901 miles – on Jamie’s bright red Trek bike.
Phil cycled around Frampton Cotterell, Iron Acton, Rangeworthy, Yate, Pucklechurch, Bath, Bristol, Gloucester, Chippenham and Chepstow.
The longest single ride in one go was from his home in Frampton to Tewkesbury Abbey and back – a round trip of 104.7 miles.
On what would have been Jamie’s 32nd birthday in August, Phil crossed the ‘finishing line’ and, with the support of friends and family, raised £1,500 for the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity.
The family has lived in Frampton Cotterell for 42 years, and Jamie grew up there.
Phil’s other son, Seb, is now a teacher in Vietnam.
‘A bit of an Odyssey’
Phil said: “I pledged that Jamie and I would do this trip together, in spirit.
“Jamie always thought big and I know for sure that this is exactly the kind of thing he’d challenge himself to do. I crossed the finishing line with Jamie alongside me, in spirit.
“This has been a bit of an odyssey, cycling through rain, hail, snow, ice and wind, through the seasons that reveal the beauty of the region we live in.
“In doing this, I’ve rediscovered the magic of cycling, exploring trails away from the busy roads. It’s been a great way to keep fit and also is therapeutic.
“I’ve largely done this on my own and it’s allowed me to do this at my own pace and also given me time to reflect upon many things including, of course, the loss of our precious son, Jamie.”
When Phil reached 23,901 miles, he launched a fundraising page for the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity to raise funds for the next and final 1,000 miles which took him to his target of 24,901.4 miles.
He said: “It was rewarding to see pledges coming through for a good cause, from those who had known Jamie.
“It is my belief that Jamie’s chances of survival may have been greater had there been a quicker intervention.
“This is why I chose the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity as a worthy cause, bringing vital medical intervention when time is of the essence.”
‘Inspirational’
Great Western Air Ambulance Charity spokesperson Hanna Chambers said: “We were blown away when we heard that Phil had decided to raise money for us.
“His passion and commitment to the challenge has been inspirational and we hope he feels proud of what he has achieved in memory of Jamie.
“The funds raised for GWAAC will help us provide pre-hospital critical care to someone in urgent need of help in our region.”
Phil’s fundraising page for the charity is still open.
Top picture: Phil Hodge with his son Jamie and Jamie’s bike, which Phil rode for more than 24,900 miles to raise money in his son’s memory.