The Papworth LEJOG Team is made up of a group of patients, doctors and professionals who are cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats in September 2012. The team are taking on this enduring challenge to highlight the amazing improvement that transplantation can offer to patients and also to raise vital funds.

With the increasing success of heart and lung transplantation for severe end stage heart and lung disease, the quality of life and the vitality of the patients has also significantly improved. Completing this endurance cycle will demonstrate just how revolutionary this treatment can be for critically ill patients.

"By way of introduction, I am a 51 year old man who received a lung transplant during July 2012. I was asked to put together a few words to help Richard and his colleagues promote the aims of their fundraising cycle Trip from Lands End to John O'Groats.

From my perspective, all seemed doomed. For the previous 15 months I couldn't walk or talk without using highly concentrated levels of oxygen. I couldn't do simple tasks like cook, clean, wash, dress, shower or shave without reaching the point of complete physical exhaustion. Things everyone else took for granted no longer seemed possible for me.

Today, I am walking and sleeping without oxygen and doing the things that seemed beyond me not so long ago. I am looking forward and planning. I have a second chance to take each day as it comes and I am determined to make the most of it. I don't feel I could ever repay these dedicated people and words could never adequately express my sincere gratitude. But, in saying that, I only need 4 words to describe what the transplant team do for extremely lucky people like me and my family. They give;

.....................................'The gift of life'............................."

"I am 15 years of age and I am cycling Lands End to John O'Groats with my Dad. I am doing this because in August 2001 my Mum had a double lung transplant. At that time she was only given a few months to live. 11 years later she is happy and well. I would like to raise money for Papworth Hospital to help others in the same situation as my family was. Papworth Hospital is very important to me as without it I would not have my mum or sister today. So please give what you can"