John O’Groats to Lands End cycle ride in memory of little boy

A man from Kent has raised almost £4000 cycling from John O’Groats to Lands End in memory of his friend’s son who died of cancer aged 7.

Jon Bibby took on the gruelling 942-mile distance to raise vital funds for 2 charities including Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW); the charity that cared for young Seth Dickenson.

Seth received support from CHSW’s Little Harbour hospice in St Austell after being diagnosed with a medulloblastoma, a brain tumour the size of a golf ball. Following his death in May 2021 Little Harbour has continued to support Seth’s family through their bereavement.

Hailed an ‘actual legend’ by Seth’s mum Sam, Jon not only cycled almost 1,000 miles but also raised over £3,800 along the way. The funds will be split evenly between CHSW and his wife’s project ‘The Patch’, a regenerative farm in Kent teaching young people with learning disabilities and autism, skills for work and life through horticulture and connecting with nature.

Sam, James and Rufus Dickenson, Seth’s parents and brother, accompanied Jon on his journey through Scotland to Cornwall, alongside Jon’s family Bek and Rowan. Together, they gave Jon the much-needed support over the 8 days of his challenge.

Sam Dickenson, Seth’s mum and close friend of Jon, said: “It's been an absolute joy and pleasure for us to support the Bibby family. Jon was up at 6am every day and on the road for 7am, covering around 120 miles each day through a variety of terrain, traffic and temperatures! His knees were sore, his muscles were aching but still he cycled uncomplaining and fuelled by cheese sandwiches, pasta and flapjack. The man is an actual legend! 

Add in the fact that through the absolute worst time in our lives, the Bibby’s and their extended family were 100% by our side providing support, advice, childcare, food, flowers, hugs and almost anything else you can imagine. You get a picture of how truly amazing this family is.

On the final day of the ride, Jon made a stop at Little Harbour where he was greeted by the Dickenson’s and Little Harbour Fundraisers with tea, cheese sandwiches and plenty of cake. 

Bethany Rudge, Area Fundraiser for CHSW, said: “For Jon to cycle the entire length of the nation is an incredible achievement, not only doing it for himself but for his close friends too, and supporting 2 charities that mean so much. It is so special to see people unite and encourage each other.

It was a pleasure to have everybody gather at Little Harbour to see Jon off safely to Land’s End, and give him that final push, and reminder, of why he was doing it.

Little Harbour supports more than 130 families from across Cornwall and Plymouth through hospice days, hospice stays as well as home visits and virtual support. It costs around £4 million a year to run Little Harbour which relies almost entirely on voluntary donations.