Life-changing treatment leads to epic cycle challenge

A man who underwent a ‘life-changing’ operation as a child is geared-up to raise hundreds for the hospital that treated him when he takes part in an epic cycle challenge. 

Laurence Male, 30, of Woburn Sands, will embark on the 930-mile challenge from Lands’ End to John O’Groats in aid of Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital on Sunday, August 20. 

Joined by his friends Tim Bunce and James Wyatt, the trio aim to cover 100-miles a day and hope to complete the challenge ten days later. Kate Bunce and Katie Wyatt have taken 10 days of holiday to follow the trio in a car to offer them support should they need it. 

Laurence works as a Purchasing Assistant at Calumet Photographic’s head office in Tilbrook, Milton Keynes. The leading retail company is supporting him to reach his £2,500 fundraising target by complimentary sensor cleaning for most DSLR and CSC cameras in return for a donation at Calumet’s next Open Days, which start later this month. 

Mr Male, said: “When I was 11-years-old I underwent a pharyngoplasty operation at Great Ormond Street Hospital. The procedure changes the shape and function of the soft palate I had to have a brace fitted to the roof of my mouth to help me breath. 

“The top plastic surgeon in the country performed the operation, which was life-changing and by taking part in the cycle challenge I hope to give something back to the hospital which gave me so much.” 

Since taking up cycling three years ago, Laurence has lost nine stone. He has been training for the event by cycling to and from work each day. 

He said: “Cycling has become a huge part of my life and seems it’s quite a fitting way to raise thousands of a very worthy cause.” 

Jon Warner, Managing Director of Calumet Photographic, which has its head office in Tilbrook, Milton Keynes, as well as an online shop and eight stores across the country, said: “We are very proud of Laurence. He is an extremely valued member of the team and we were more than happy to support his fundraising.

“Cycling 100 miles a day for nine days is an epic challenge and one, that we have no doubt Laurence will complete. He’s extremely dedicated and trains heavily every day.

“We wish him the best of luck in his challenge and encourage everyone to get behind him and raise money for such a worth-while cause, which Laurence himself has first-hand experience of.”

As well as the complimentary lens cleaning, the Open Days will also provide customers with an opportunity to learn more about the industry and improve their knowledge. Huge discounts will also be available on the day and in store.

The dates for the next Open Days are as follows:

• Bristol – Thursday, April 20, 2017
• Birmingham – Thursday, April 27, 2017l
• Manchester – Thursday, May 4, 2017
• Glasgow – Wednesday, May 10, 2017
• Edinburgh – Thursday, May 11, 2017
• Belfast – Thursday, May 18, 2017
• London – Friday, May 26 2017
• London – Saturday, May 27, 2017

People can also sponsor Laurence by visiting his Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Laurence-Tim-James-LEJOG 

A full list of the Open Day schedule and seminar timetable can be viewed on the Calumet website calphoto.co.uk/open-days. Spaces are limited so it is recommended that anyone interested in attending should book in advance. 

Those who attend the Open Days will also get the chance to take part in the UK’s first National Photographic Survey 2017, which has been developed by Calumet Photographic in a bid to find answers to the questions photographers want to know about the industry, and to gain product and purchase insights. 

Calumet Photographic is a leading photography equipment retailer supporting amateurs and professionals.

It also provides rentals, runs workshops, offers a student membership scheme, and has studio spaces available to hire for shoots.

For more information visit: https://www.calphoto.co.uk/open-days.