Mailcoms Founder Pedalling the Pyrenees for the Headcase Cancer Trust

Why is Mailcoms’ founder pedalling the Pyrenees? Des McManus, Founder of Mailcoms and a keen cyclist, takes part as a guide rider in Pedal the Pyrenees, a 7-day charity bike ride from Biarritz to Collioure, raising funds for the Headcase Cancer Trust. Mailcoms donates vehicles, bike logistics and Des’s time as a guide rider, helping the charity fund vital research into Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) brain tumours.

In a busy week for our Founder, Des, he is taking part as a guide rider in a 7-day charity bike ride through the Pyrenees, with 100% of proceeds going to the Headcase Cancer Trust. Headcase is the only charity in the UK to solely fund research to find a cure for Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), the most common type of brain tumour. GBM kills around 5,000 people each year in the UK (5 times more than all the other 130 types of brain tumours put together). The average life expectancy with GBM, from diagnosis, is just 14 months. There is no cure, and GBM has the highest number of Life Years Lost of any cancer at 20.1 years.

Headcase’s research strategy has been developed closely with scientists and universities across the UK and beyond. They think differently and collaboratively, looking for unique approaches to understanding the way GBM functions before looking at ways to beat it. Run on an entirely voluntary basis, absolutely zero donations are used on salaries for anyone associated with Headcase. In fact, over 98% of all money received goes directly to research, with additional Gift Aid meaning that every £1 received actually generates £1.05 for research.

The Pedal the Pyrenees Ride

During the coast-to-coast ride, our Founder Des will be part of the team guiding the guests, climbing all the famous high peaks of the Pyrenees. The 710km ride starts at the surf beach at Biarritz on the Atlantic coast and goes all the way to the beautiful fishing village of Collioure on the Mediterranean. The ride brings something different each day, going through some of the most stunning scenery in the world, even climbing some of the legendary peaks of the Tour de France.

Mailcoms is proud to donate bike logistics, along with vehicles and, of course, Des as a guide rider.

A Word from the Headcase Cancer Trust

Headcase Trustee and Head Fundraiser, Colin Spiers, said: “Whilst running the challenging Pedal the Pyrenees event to support our charity, Headcase Cancer Trust, we rely on support from our generous commercial partners. This goes a huge way to maximising the funds raised. Mailcoms has contributed and donated essential logistical, vehicle and guide rider support for many years. This has included UK guest bike collection and delivery from all over the UK and transportation to the start of the ride in Biarritz. They also provide vehicles which are invaluable when transporting support equipment and guest luggage across the route from Biarritz on the Atlantic to Collioure on the Mediterranean. Also, as a keen cyclist, Founder Des McManus volunteers his time to help guide our guests all along the route. Headcase Cancer Trust very much appreciates everything Mailcoms does to support the charity.”

We are proud to be a part of this important event. If you would like to donate to the Headcase Cancer Trust, you can follow the link here to do so, and if you would like to find out more about the cycling challenge, please visit the Pedal the Pyrenees website here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who from Mailcoms takes part in Pedal the Pyrenees? Des McManus, the Founder of Mailcoms and a keen cyclist, takes part as a guide rider, helping to guide guests along the route.

Which charity does the ride support? All proceeds go to the Headcase Cancer Trust, the only UK charity solely funding research into Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) brain tumours.

How does Mailcoms support the event? Mailcoms donates bike logistics, vehicles and guide rider support, including collecting and delivering guest bikes from across the UK and transporting them to the start in Biarritz.

What route does the ride follow? The 710km coast-to-coast ride runs from Biarritz on the Atlantic coast to Collioure on the Mediterranean, climbing some of the legendary peaks of the Tour de France.