A CHARITY fundraiser was shocked to receive a substantial donation out of the blue from the daughter of a bestselling author.
Peter Smith, who lives in South Norwood, decided to cycle the Land's End to John O'Groats challenge to raise almost £10,000 for the Royal Marsden hospital in Sutton which has treated him for his cancer.
Although his knees played up throughout the entire ride, the 69-year-old was buoyed by news from his wife, Hilary, that Glynis Ludlum had donated a whopping $3,000 to his JustGiving page.
"I am complete mystified. How she got my details in the US and why she decided to give money to my cause, I really don't know. I am going to investigate and would like to get in touch with her.
"My wife told me three days before we finished. She had seen it on my page and tracked it back to Robert Ludlum's daughter. He wrote all the Bourne books which were turned into films."
Mr Smith was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and had a tumour the size of his fist removed during surgery.
However, it was soon discovered his cancer had spread to his liver and ever since, he has been treated at the Royal Marsden in Sutton. He now takes monthly hormonal treatment to allow him to carry on his day to day life. He was joined by his friend James Malone from Coulsdon whose wife, Tara, is also a patient at the Royal Marsden.
The three of them, along with Peter's wife, Hilary, joined 23 riders and their supporters at the start of the ride on April 30 and arrived at the top of Scotland on May 11, averaging 82 miles a day.
Together, the two cyclists have raised more than £15,000.
