Stuart Priscott's JOGLE Challenge 2021
1 July 2021
Bristol County Ground based 50-year old set to become oldest person with Cystic Fibrosis to tackle the UK’s greatest cycle challenge
This month, Stuart Priscott will become the oldest person living with Cystic Fibrosis* to complete the John O’ Groats to Lands End (JOGLE) bicycle challenge.
Setting off 11 days after turning 50, he and two friends – Matt Theedom and Scott Chappell – will cycle the gruelling 874 miles to Lands End in a bid to raise £50,000 on behalf of two charities: The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Chance to Shine, an organisation that promotes cricket in schools and communities.
The three cyclists, who all work within cricket in the south west of England, have come together to honour the memory of Stuart’s sister, Jo, another CF sufferer, who died in late 2018 aged 50.
Stuart lives in Bristol, works at the Bristol County Ground for Chance to Shine and is a father of two girls. He said:
“This is a challenge unthinkable for most of my life. Over the past 50 years I have benefitted from amazing medical research and discoveries, excellent health care from the NHS and supportive family and friends. I have experienced first-hand how new drugs and treatments can transform people’s lives.
“Jo was a kind, loving and inspirational sister and friend. As a family we were devastated by her death, which felt untimely so soon after a lung transplant she had waited so long for. It is the way in which she led her life with such passion and vigour that has driven me to take this challenge in my 50th year."
Explaining why he is raising money for the two charities, he continued:
“In learning to live with CF I have realised it is not enough to be alive – life is for living and everyone needs a purpose. I was lucky from an early age that I found cricket as an outlet to stay active, meet people and develop friendships, and strive to achieve. In my role at Chance to Shine, I see up close the positive impact sport can have on young people and the way it can be the spur to unlock potential. Having worked at the Bristol County Ground for many years I have been able to be closely involved in the work of Chance to Shine within my home county. Throughout that time, everyone at Gloucestershire Cricket has been hugely supportive, and I’m very grateful to the Club for backing my once-in-a-lifetime challenge.”
The JOGLE challenge is all the more remarkable for the fact that Stuart did not own a bike until his 49th birthday, when wanting to give himself the best chance of staying well during the Covid outbreak, he embarked on a new fitness regime. After a long career in cricket coaching and administration – which also included two years as a professional player with Somerset County Cricket Club – he is set to tackle the hardest physical challenge of his life.
Joining Stuart, Matt and Scott on the trip will be colleagues, family and friends from cricket, helping to raise money so others can benefit from both improved medicines and life-enhancing sporting opportunities.
To read Stuart’s story and to donate Click Here
