San Carlo boss to ride Tour de France stages in aid of The Christie

San Carlo Group managing director Marcello DiStefano set to ride 650km of the toughest stages of the Tour de France route over five days along with other North West businessmen, in a bid to raise £1m for the Christie cancer treatment centre based in Manchester.

The funds will be used to introduce a new mobile chemotherapy unit for The Christie, enabling patients to receive treatment closer to home.

The ride, part of the On the Road to Recovery campaign, takes place between 14 and 18 September. It will see the riders climb 35,000ft, taking in Mont Ventoux and the Alpe D'Huez.

Almost £170,000 has been donated to the cause so far.

Marcello DiStefano said: "It's been a fantastic campaign to be involved with so far, and I'm proud to be contributing to The Christie. The hospital provides valuable support to cancer patients in the North West and mobile chemotherapy units will help it to deliver care much closer to the patient's home.

"The Tour De France Challenge will be an incredibly difficult feat of physical and mental strength but a great experience and we are looking forward to challenging both our businesses and our bodies in order to raise money for such a worthy cause."

Dr Andrew Wardley, clinical lead for chemotherapy at The Christie, said; "This is an incredible challenge so huge thanks to the guys for their efforts"

"The mobile chemotherapy unit will be a great benefit to patients allowing them to have The Christie experience of specialised care and the best outcomes delivered close to where they live. It will make an enormous difference.