Underwriter leads 600-mile ride to raise funds for cancer research in memory of father

Beazley underwriter George Southgate will lead a group of cyclists on a 600-mile journey from Berlin to London to support cancer patients.

With a target of £10,000, Southgate’s fundraiser has currently raised over £9,000 for the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) so far.

Southgate takes on the challenge in memory of his dad, marine insurance veteran Mike Southgate, who died in January 2022 following his diagnosis of stage four bowel cancer in April 2020. 

Mike Southgate spent over 40 years working predominantly as a marine hull underwriter at a number of companies, including Sturge syndicate, GE and Swiss Re and later as head of marine and energy at Montpelier, Canopius and Hiscox.

George Southgate, underwriter for upstream and renewable energy at Beazley, said: “When my dad was diagnosed with cancer, the outlook was devastating from the start – he was told he had only weeks to live.

“Nevertheless, through treatment, along with determination and undoubtedly some luck, he went on to live for almost two more years. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of my dad and how much my mum, my sister and I miss him. So, I will inevitably be thinking about him as I ride. This will no doubt spur me on, as will the thought of the many others who have died or suffered because of cancer.

”But I’ll also be thinking of those who have successfully won their battle with cancer, knowing that they would have benefitted from previous research and how with each mile that we cycle, we will be raising money to fund future research to benefit many more.”

Making an impact

Southgate will be cycling from 5 to 10 July and finish his journey outside ICR’s labs in Chelsea. 

He has recruited 26 adventurers to join him on his expedition, including many of his colleagues from the insurance industry, to honour his father’s career in the sector. 

In June 2022, he raised more than £18,000 to support the ICR’s research when he cycled from London to Paris in memory of his dad.

Sarah Castleman, sports and challenge events manager at the ICR in London, said: ”Having Southgate’s support once again is fantastic.

”He has already done so much in his father’s memory and we can’t wait to celebrate with him and the team this July. Cycling 600 miles over 6 days from Berlin to London will be tough, but we know the whole group is incredibly passionate and motivated to make the biggest impact in memory of Mike Southgate. I feel honoured to be joining them for the final 90 miles on day six into London and I can’t wait to cross the finish line at the ICR’s Chester Beatty Laboratories alongside them. Every pound raised helps drive our research forward and every mile brings us closer to a future where cancer can be defeated.”