Ben Walsh Completes Gruelling 1600km Cycling Challenge in Memory of Late Wife, Raising Awareness for Sepsis and Arthritis Charities.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 7/7/25
Ben Walsh and Cormac Loughran, two clients of MB Associates, have successfully completed The Big Ride – a 1600km cycling challenge from Land’s End to John O’Groats in just nine days, raising funds for The UK Sepsis Trust and Versus Arthritis.
The challenge, sponsored by MB Associates, was completed in memory of Ben’s late wife Anne, who tragically passed away from sepsis last year, aged just 48.
The team endured severe weather conditions, including hours of driving rain, freezing temperatures, and 40 mph crosswinds that blew riders over the crash barriers. There were times when they couldn’t stop for photos due to zero visibility and the threat of hypothermia from standing still for too long. However, the pair, along with some cycling friends, reached John O’Groats on 6 July.
A serious challenge
‘This was never meant to be easy – we deliberately chose a serious challenge,’ says Ben. ‘There were moments when I genuinely doubted we’d finish. It was only on the penultimate day that I finally believed we would make it.’
The most difficult moments came on day 3 (Bath to Ludlow) when Ben suffered heat exhaustion, and his team doctor feared he would need hospitalisation, on day 6 when he crashed at high speed, and on day 7 through the Glencoe Pass where the wind and rain made hypothermia a serious risk.
‘Many times, I had Anne’s image in front of me spurring me on,’ says Ben. ‘Even when the conditions were hazardous, I just couldn’t quit. That’s when the team spirit pulled us through.’
Ben adds: ‘This wasn’t just a physical feat – it was emotionally cathartic. It’s helped me begin to process my grief and take the first steps towards recovery. It won’t bring Anne back, but it has brought me some peace after such a terrible loss, and it’s wonderful to have raised funds for two charities. Anne suffered from arthritis and donated her free time to help the charity, and I’m keen to raise awareness of the symptoms of sepsis to save lives.’
MB Associates was the official kit sponsor for the cycling jerseys for the Big Ride team. Our founder, Monica Bradley, says: ‘We were incredibly proud to support Ben and Cormac on this remarkable journey, and we’re so pleased they’ve completed the challenge and raised a substantial sum for the two charities.’
About Versus Arthritis
Versus Arthritis is the UK’s largest arthritis charity, changing lives through research, campaigning and support. Versus Arthritis works tirelessly to make sure everyone with arthritis has access to the treatments and support they need to live the life they choose, with real hope of a cure in the future.
Find out more at: www.versusarthritis.org
About The UK Sepsis Trust
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to infection harms its own tissues and organs. It affects approximately 245,000 people in the UK each year and claims around 48,000 lives. The UK Sepsis Trust aims to end preventable deaths and improve conditions for sepsis survivors, as well as raising public awareness, educating healthcare professionals, and supporting those affected.
Find out more at: https://sepsistrust.org/
Media Contact
For more information on the Big Ride or MB Associates, contact Christina Collison at chris@mbassociates.net