On their bike for patients; In association with the NHS It was a chance meeting that has prompted a fundraising event in honour of thyroid cancer patients

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), April 28, 2008

Byline: HELEN ANDREW reports

THESE Tyneside bikers are gearing up for a rally in support of North East cancer patients.

The Geordie Motorcycle Action Group have decided to help thyroid cancer patients by raising cash in a motorcycle rally later this year.

Hazel Mynard, 46, of North Shields, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and struck a chord with one of the lads from the group in a taxi drive between hospitals in the region.

Hazel was diagnosed with the condition in March 2007.

Since then she has undergone extensive treatment with the support of the Butterfly Trust, a charity based at Newcastle General Hospital.

She has had a total thyroidectomy, several sessions of radioiodine and had neck surgery in February this year.

She said: "Without the help and support of the Butterfly Trust, the Geordie MAG, my sister and all the wonderful people in the North East I would be dead by now."

Joe Donnison, 54, taxi driver, of North Shields, is a member of the Geordie MAG who heard of Hazel's struggle and suggested the team sponsor the Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust who has helped her through her illnesses.

Joe said: "We chose the Butterfly Trust because it's local and cancer is something that everybody at some point in their lives will come into contact with.

"It was good timing as well because we were just trying to choose a charity to adopt for the year when I got talking with Hazel.

"We want to raise as much as we can to help."

The Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust was set up by former cancer patient Kate Farnell, aimed at supporting people with the illness across the country, and Hazel has been one of many people to experience their help.

Kate and Hazel were invited to meet the lads from the Geordie MAG for a white-knuckle ride on a Harley Davidson and were given a cheque for pounds 500.

Hazel said: "I've always wanted to ride a Harley before I die, and it was absolutely fantastic.

"It was worth the pain and was a real psychological boost. The lads have hearts of gold."

Kate added: "The money that the Geordie MAG raise will go help fund the Butterfly helpline and Patient Information Packs.

"When the Northern Centre for Cancer treatment moves to the Freeman Hospital at the end of summer, we will also be buying two new computers with webcams, mini-fridges, kettles and microwaves, which will all help patients who have to be kept in isolation."

The rally will take place on the weekend of September 26.

CAPTION(S):

REVVED UP - The Geordie Motorcycle Action Group is holding a fundraising rally for the Butterfly Trust