Nigel Probert, Support Crew, Square to Square Charity Cycle Challenge Team 2008

image: Nigel Probert, Support Crew, SQ2SQ Charity Cycle Challenge 2008

Support crew profile - Nigel Probert

The SQ2SQ Cycling Team 2008 would be no where without a great support crew, both on the challenge and in the UK during the preparations. Nigel is an integral part of the team.

Joined Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service: January 1997. Although I started with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service in Sept 1993.

Current Role: Watch Manager in charge of White Watch at A1 Newport Fire Station

Nickname: - Big Nige, Ginster

Age: 40

Status: Married

Kids: 2: a daughter that is 8 and a son that is 18 months.

Interests/Hobbies: Football, golf and all sports.

Favourite Food: Fajitas

Favourite Drink: Daytime – tea, Evening – red wine.

On the Challenge: I was deeply frustrated that I didn’t get to take part in Square 2 Square in 2005. I should have been part of the support crew then and I was heavily involved with getting a lot of the equipment together. I had to pull out for family reasons.

When the opportunity arose for another trip, I made sure that nothing was going to stop me.

It is “a trip of a lifetime”. There is no doubt about that. It will also be incredibly hard work for everyone involved. When the cyclists stop, the support crew start to work. We all know that.

There is of course a serious side and main reason for the trip. My father was diagnosed with prostrate cancer last year and is still under observation both here at St Mary’s Hospital, Newport, Isle of Wight and at St Mary’s Hospital, Portsmouth. Part of the money that we are collecting, is for diagnostic equipment. This equipment is not currently available on the island and patients have to travel to the mainland for it. This reflects what my father and his family and I have had to endure over the past year.

 

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