Bristol2Beijing Expedition Crosses India, Partnered with CanKids KidsCan

(New Delhi, India) On 6 December, Luke Grenfell-Shaw and his pink-and-blue tandem bicycle named “Chris” crossed the Wagah border from Pakistan into Punjab, India. Crossing into India was no small feat, having already cycled 17,000 kms across 27 countries, complicated by CoVid-19. Two weeks and 500 kms later, Luke is now arriving in New Delhi to celebrate the Indian segment of his inspiring global cycling expedition. The British High Commissioner to India is receiving Luke in New Delhi today.

“Luke’s journey and story remind us how to live a full life; and have attracted warmth and generosity as he cycles across India. Well done to Dev from CanKids for giving Luke extra pedal power, and I wish Luke a safe and enjoyable journey as he carries on towards Kolkata.” said Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India

Bristol2Beijing is a global tandem cycling expedition that aims to redefine what is possible with a cancer diagnosis. Luke was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive sarcoma in 2018 at the age of 24. His expedition invites people to participate, especially CanLivers (people living with cancer) and individuals from the countries through which he is riding, in whatever ways they can. Many participate by getting active at home. More than 200 people have participated by joining Luke on the tandem – 15 of which are CanLivers. More than 2,000 donors have participated by contributing to Luke’s ambitious fundraising goal of £300,000 GBP for charity.

In India, Luke has added CanKids KidsCan to the short list of charities he is supporting. CanKids KidsCan is the only National NGO dedicated to Change for Childhood Cancer in India across the continuum of care. Today, they work in partnership with 121 Cancer centres in 53 cities and 22 States which treat over 12,000 new childhood cancer cases every year.

Dev Mukherjee, a 17-year-old CanLiver living in Patiala, is excited to join Luke on the tandem from Chandigarh to New Delhi. Dev is a member of a CanKids KidsCan Konnect group of young people living with cancer in their past or present. Dev was treated for acute lymphocytic leukemia from the age of 2 to 5 at the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi under the care of Dr Rachna Seth. Still in school, Dev is an adept computer programmer and aspires to be a chef.

“I’ve had such a warm welcome into India these first two weeks,” said Luke, “made possible by my wonderful local charity partner, CanKids KidsCan. It is a real honour to be received today by the UK High Commissioner, offering me an important audience for my message. I wish to show the world that a cancer diagnosis does not have to define your life – that you can set ambitious, adventurous goals and live life to the full. Dev, who is joining me on the tandem today, is a perfect example of the CanLive approach I am promoting. We can live with cancer, powering through with hope and resolve to a brighter tomorrow.”

During his first two weeks in India, Luke has cycled across the Punjab, through Ludhiana and Chandigarh, and into Delhi. Luke has spoken at several events, including schools, hospitals, and cycling clubs, sharing his story, news of his expedition, and his inspiring CanLive message to hundreds of people, especially students. 

After his visit in Delhi, Luke will cycle through North India along the old Grand Trunk Road to reach Kolkata by February, before carrying on to China and Beijing. Luke will continue to collaborate with CanKids KidsCan to spread the Bristol2Beijing message and to promote the outstanding work CanKids is doing to support young CanLivers in India.

“While crossing the country from northwest to southeast, CanKids KidsCan looks forward to facilitating connections for Luke to share his story, his inspiring message, and his love for cycling and sport,” says Poonam Bagai, founder chairman, CanKids, herself a cancer survivor. All funds raised are divided equally among Luke’s five charity partners. One fifth of funds raised in India en route to Kolkata will be dedicated to CanKids KidsCan, supporting their work with children living with cancer in India. (Read more about Leg 5 of the expedition).

“My world broke into pieces when I first received my diagnosis and began treatment,” Luke said. “Organisations that support young people who face these new realities are a crucial pillar to help them negotiate a challenging, unfamiliar, and uncertain world. That’s why it’s so wonderful to be partnering with CanKids KidsCan in India, which supports children and teenagers with cancer across India. I really look forward to all the ways the Bristol2Beijing community can also learn from and generously support the compassionate and loving work they do for so many young people in India.”

END

Contact:

You can find videos, images and further information about the movement and the expedition at https://bristol2beijing.org/ 

You can find out more about Luke at https://lukegrenfellshaw.com/

For questions and media requests: 

Tom Lowe / Bristol2Beijing support team / (WhatsApp) +44 7713 631489

Or

Ajay Kumar – Cankids Communications / (WhatsApp) +91 98181 09181 / www.cankidsindia.org 

Social media:

Instagram: @bristol2beijing

Twitter: @Bristol2B

Facebook: Bristol2B

Weibo: @Bristol2Beijing

ABOUT BRISTOL2BEIJING

Bristol2Beijing is a global tandem cycling expedition aiming to redefine what is possible with a cancer diagnosis. The expedition, which invites people to participate, especially CanLivers (people living with cancer) and individuals from the countries through which Luke is riding, is supporting four UK-based charities throughout the journey (Young LIves vs. Cancer, Teenage Cancer Trust, Trekstock, and 5k Your Way--Move Against Cancer) and one regional partner charity for each leg of the journey beyond the UK (Leg 5: while in India, CanKids KidsCan). By cycling across the world and including other CanLivers in the adventure, Bristol2Beijing is the central expression of the CanLive movement, founded by Luke Grenfell-Shaw in 2019 at the age of 25. CanLive is the belief that, even with the uncertainties that a cancer diagnosis brings, we can live with cancer, and do so richly and fully if we proactively create opportunities to make the most of today and improve our chances of living well tomorrow. Luke and his tandem, named Chris in memory of his late brother John Christopher Grenfell-Shaw, are putting CanLive into action by exploring the world, uncovering stories of positivity, resilience, and triumph in the face of adversity, and inviting the world to participate in the journey through the Bristol2Beijing expedition and the Bristol2Beijing podcast. 

For more information visit: bristol2beijing.org