Soloist - Debs Stockley

Who are you ( name, age, where you come from)

Debs Stockley – 52yo – Yorkshire

What is your background?

As a day job I work for an NHS Shared Business Service as an IT Service Manager. SBS partners with NHS organisations all over the country to improve efficiency, generate cost savings and transform corporate services.

While at University I found rugby and had the most amazing 4yrs playing, first as full back and then on the wing for Lichfield Ladies. After finishing Uni and moving to Leeds I took up triathlon competing in all distances from sprint to ironman and again loved the competition and challenge of the multi-discipline sport.

Why did you want to get involved in this challenge?

I was invited by a friend to join the Penrith to Preston leg of the Doddie Cup ride in 2022 where I met Russ Kesley. Russ spoke so enthusiastically about what the Doddie Cup was all about and, because of my rugby background, I was totally hooked.

Rus and I are in the same On-Line Zwifting team, 3R, and he asked if I’d be interested in putting a team together for the 2023 event which I thought was a great idea. Unfortunately, due to a number of reasons, we went from having 6 members in the team to there being only 2 of us by January 2023 and I thought it was game over for being able to take part. I couldn’t believe it when Russ arranged for myself and my team mate Hayley to ride with the core team. It really was the most memory making, incredible adventure I’d ever had… Knackering absolutely, an emotional whirl-wind… you’re not kidding, one to tell the grandkids… most definitely 😊

It’s so difficult to put into words the experience Hayley and I had, from meeting the ex-pro team, witnessing the school kids' smiles and excitement as we rolled into their school grounds, to the incredible support we received at the rugby clubs we visited.

How long have you been cycling?

I started cycling as part of a triathlon in 1996 but have only really started doing endurance cycling in the last 3 years. 

What do you think will be the most challenging aspect of the trip?

The lack of sleep and pedalling around 3,000 kilometres!

How important is it that we keep Doddie's memory alive?

The Doddie adventure will hopefully go on until we find a cure for the terrible disease that took him from us. His legacy is an incredible thing and one that inspires us to do what we do and not forget why we do it.

How important is it that we continue to raise funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation?

We need to beat this disease and to do that we need to raise the money for the research to continue.

What has been the most inspirational aspect of this challenge so far for you?

I can’t over emphasise how incredible it is to be part of something that not only gives me the opportunity to do what I love doing in riding my bike, but to meet the most dedicated and truly exceptional people along the way. There really is no better feeling than knowing you are making a difference by raising the profile and money towards helping others who are/will suffer from MND

What, ultimately, do you want to come out of this?

To make it to Rome still smiling and to raise as much money and awareness for DoddieAid as I possibly can