Consultant Gynaecologist & Obstetrician, Ms Bronwyn Middleton and Surgical Care Practitioner, Sam Roberts, pedalled 250 miles over three days alongside their team of consultants, nurse specialists, trainees, and avid supporters, to raise awareness for endometriosis.
Endometriosis is a condition where cells typically found in the lining of the womb are found elsewhere in the body and can cause chronic pain, fatigue, depression, and difficulties with conceiving, and is a disease that impacts many lives.
Women with severe endometriosis can be diagnosed and treated earlier at the Sussex Endometriosis Centre (SEC) at Princess Royal Hospital, providing patients with high quality, holistic care. The centre has recently maintained its accredited status as a specialist BSGE Endometriosis Centre for the fourth year running.
The bike ride was organised by a trainee from Cardiff, and Endometriosis UK, a charity advocating for endometriosis care, with support from the British Society of Gynaecology Endoscopy (BSGE), which aims to promote training and improve standards for women with gynaecological problems.
Sam said: “The experience was fantastic. This is the first time that Bronwyn or I have taken part in the ride which is in its fifth year. The camaraderie that developed over the three days meant that the 30 of us started as strangers but finished as friends.
“I had not regularly ridden my bike for seven years and it had been collecting dust in the garage! But I do enjoy ultrarunning and this helped with my fitness level and seeing me through the 250 miles. The bike ride was amazing and I’m so chuffed that we all managed to finish the ride!”
Riders set off from Manchester, heading west to the beautiful North Wales coastline, passing around the top of Snowdonia and onto Holyhead.
They faced the rough seas of the Irish Channel, headed through Dublin, before making their last leg up to this year’s BSGE Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in Belfast.
Bronwyn said: “I always try to do one charity fundraiser which includes a personal challenge annually and as a long-standing member of the BSGE and a supporter of Endometriosis UK, this great event was the chosen one for 2024. I also added it to my fifty-to-50 to do list and haven’t looked back.
“It was an incredible achievement, I feel proud. The team spirit and banter in the group was great fun, I learnt a whole new language! It was physically tough, but we had the most amazing support crew including a mechanical van and a nutrition van. The scenery was beautiful, and I now have so many places I need to go back to visit and great colleagues and friends from all over the UK.”
Despite its challenges, including a gruelling second day which started with a 76km bike ride from Llandudno to Holyhead, a four-hour ferry crossing, then a further 45km North from Dublin, the pair are eager to take part again and continue to raise awareness for endometriosis.
Sam said: “I would most definitely take part next year and am looking forward to it already.”
Bronwyn said: “I manage women with endometriosis in my practice and refer deeply invasive disease to our fantastic tertiary centre headed up by Dr Rebecca Mallick. Rebecca was my trainee a few years ago and I am so proud of the excellent work her team does for women with this awful, debilitating disease.
“Rebecca was elected as Vice President of the BSGE at the ASM and we are lucky to have such great advocates for women’s health working in our Trust. My next challenge is to convince Rebecca to ride with us next year!”
So far, Bronwyn, Sam and their team have helped raise almost £15,000 for Endometriosis UK. You can still show your support by kindly sponsoring Bronwyn and Sam’s four-nation adventure.