London to Paris bike ride sponsorship
We very are pleased to be sponsoring a local cyclist who is taking part in the St Elizabeth Hospice team 100 London to Paris bike ride, starting the 15th September.
The Hospice Team 100 are a group of 50 people riding from London to Paris over four days. It starts 15th September and will raise at least £100,000 for St Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich. The hospice improves life for people living with a progressive illness and provides essential support for their families too. They provide specialist support wherever it is needed, in the home, in the community or at the Hospices. You can find out more about this, click here.
Richard Ward, is cycling in memory of his daughter Cathy Ward, who died of cancer at 23. St Elizabeth hospice at home team provided vital support to Cathy and her family allowing Cathy to remain with her and in the familiar surroundings of her own home. He says:
My own involvement with the hospice stems from the care and support my daughter Cathy Ward (and we as a family) received when in September 2010 at the age of 23 she was diagnosed at Addenbrookes with cancer of the brain. Cathy died in the familiar surroundings of her own home in March 2011 and was able to spend her final weeks at home thanks to the Hospice at Home team. I struggle to put into words just how brilliant the nurses from the hospice were; needless to say they handled every crisis with a professionalism and sensitivity that I would not have imagined possible. It amazes me that such an essential service has to rely on charitable donations but that is the way it is so:
I am participating as a member of the Hospice Team 100 (the hospices first organised cycle event) and raising donations for the hospice here.
Richard with his ‘go faster Gotelee stripe’ on his arm:
At the weekend, Richard and 11 of the 50 ‘Hospice Team 100’ members cycled in the Crafted Classique 100 mile event. All 12 people made it to the finish in similar times and celebrated together; which made a great practice before venturing into the main event.
12 of the 50 are below with Richard on the right.
And they are off!! Start of the race:
Huge thanks again to Gotelee Solicitors sponsoring me and offering to help raise awareness of our challenge. I am away for 2 weeks but if you are willing I will catch up after the event so we can add to the story. Richard Ward