Olly Porter Completes Alpine Cycling Challenge in Memory of His Dad, Bill Porter and to Raise Vital Funds for Melanoma Focus

An incredible eight-day fundraising challenge across the Alps has seen Olly Porter push himself to his physical and mental limits, in memory of his dad, Bill Porter, who sadly passed away from melanoma. 

Olly took on the challenge this summer to honour his dad and raise vital funds for Melanoma Focus, helping support our work for those affected by melanoma. 

After eight demanding days, Olly successfully completed the route within his original target, despite facing terrain and constantly changing weather conditions throughout the journey. The challenge resulted in an incredible elevation gain of 35,000m and total mileage of 1,865km.

Reflecting on completing the challenge, Olly said:  

“I’m absolutely delighted just to have completed the route and I’m honestly quite shocked that I managed it within my 8-day target.”  

He described the experience as a “rollercoaster journey”, with breathtaking highs alongside some difficult lows.  

“The ever-changing conditions and punishing terrain really took their toll. Transitioning from scorching heat to torrential thunderstorms on a daily basis and managing all the physical elements as well as my ever-changing mental state (and constant need for calories!) was a relentless undertaking.”  

Despite the challenges, Olly said the experience had ultimately been an incredible one.  

“Overall though it was simply the most incredible experience with so many memories crammed into such aa short period of time.”  

A Challenge for Bill  

For Olly, the challenge was about much more than cycling across one of Europe’s most demanding landscapes.  

He took on the challenge in memory of his dad, Bill Porter, who died from melanoma.  

By completing the journey and fundraising for Melanoma Focus, Olly has turned his personal experience of loss into an opportunity to help others affected by melanoma.  

Olly has raised an incredible £X so far for Melanoma Focus.  

Every pound raised will help Melanoma Focus continue its work supporting those affected by melanoma.  

Olly has also paid tribute to everyone who supported him throughout the challenge, highlighting how important their encouragement was during the most difficult moments.  

“I would like to say an enormous thank you to everyone who has supported me (in all different ways) because it truly has made all the difference and really helped to carry me through the lows.  

Thank You, Olly  

Melanoma Focus would like to extend its enormous congratulations and thanks to Olly for completing such an extraordinary challenge and choosing to do it in memory of his dad.  

We’re incredibly grateful to Olly and everyone who has supported his fundraising.  

His challenge demonstrates how one person’s determination can create a lasting impact for others, turning every mile into support for those affected by melanoma.  

If you would like to support Olly’s fundraising, his JustGiving page remains open. You can DONATE HERE.

For Bill. For Olly. For everyone affected by melanoma.