On 11th July 2011, two Manxmen, Aaron Quinn and Gianni Epifani, will be attempting to complete stage 19 of the 2011 Tour de France in aid of Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation, a local charity organisation which has been primarily set up by the Lunt family in memory of their 25 year old son, Craig, a well-respected, talented and popular young Manx footballer who tragically died in April 2005. His death was due to a previously undiagnosed heart defect. The stage, although the shortest in this year’s tour at 109km, is widely regarded as one of the hardest! Starting in Modane, the stage takes in three major Alpine climbs or “Cols” which include the Col Du Telegraph (at 5,137ft high), the Col du Galibier (at 8,385ft high) and finishing on top of Alpe d’Huez at 6,069 ft high. The Col du Telegraphe is a category one climb whilst both the Col du Galibier and Alpe d’Huez are “Hors Categories” (HC) or climbs which are “beyond categorisation”. To you and me, this means that they are extremely tough!!! All in all, to complete this stage Aaron and Gianni will have to complete somewhere in the region of 9,000 feet of climbing! Aaron commented: “I have done a few things in the past to raise money for this charity including the London Marathon in 2009, but this cycle will certainly be my toughest challenge to date. The top professionals will complete this stage in around 3 hours 40 minutes but the 6000 competitors in our event have up to 9 hours to finish.” Gianni added: “This will be like nothing we have ever done before, the two initial climbs will take us up over 8,000 feet, before a 46km mountain descent down the other side takes us to the climb up to Alp d’Huez with its 21 hairpin bends and its average gradient of 8.2%. Together with the sheer volume of competitors it’s certainly going to be a tough day.” Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure, Hon David Cretney MHK, commented: “I would like to wish Aaron and Gianni the very best of luck as they set out on this significant challenge for such a good cause and of course to Cav himself in the Tour de France.” In order for this charity to continue its fantastic work of carrying out heart screenings on the island for men and women aged between 14 – 35, Aaron and Gianni require your support to help them raise as much money as possible by attempting to complete this cycle on 11th July. All donations no matter how large or small can make a huge difference to the work carried out by Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation and by giving wholehearted support to this worthwhile charity, we can look forward to a fit and healthy future for our island community to help ensure such a tragedy as Craig's may never be repeated. If you would like to sponsor Aaron and Gianni please visit their online sponsor page at http://www.craigsheartstrongfoundation.co.uk/tour_de_france_33.html to make an online donation or send a cheque to Aaron Quinn, 29 Hillberry Heights, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 7BN (All cheques payable to Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation) Gianni finished by saying: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their generous support in-particular the Manx Radio Dreamcatcher Appeal, the Copyshop and John Turton Photography. We now hope to complete this event and raise as much money as possible for this worthwhile charity.” ENDS