Hospice Challenges Families To Raise Funds By Riding 100km

Families who want to get active this summer are being asked by St Barnabas Hospice to sign up for the charity’s ‘On Yer Bike’ campaign which has returned after raising more than £23,000 last year.

Thanks to last year’s campaign launched during lockdown to help people exercise as well as fundraise while following government guidelines, more than 80 supporters got involved.

Louise Cotton, Fundraising Officer at St Barnabas Hospice, said: “We are really excited to be bringing this campaign back after we had such fun with it and raised so much last year. This year we are asking supporters to cycle 100km in a day, week, month or over the course of the summer to raise money.

“It really is for people of all cycling abilities as you are in control over how long you take to complete the challenge. You can ride any kind of bike, whether that’s taking a mountain bike off-road, using an exercise bike indoors or just taking a series of bicycle rides outdoors.”

St Barnabas supporters Jonathan (49) and Poppy (11) have already completed 46km of their 100km of cycling and are due to complete this on 11 th July. The 27th June marked the 20th anniversary of Jonathan’s mum and Poppy’s Granny sadly dying at the St Barnabas Hospice Inpatient Unit on Nettleham Road.

Jonathan said, “We sadly lost Mum twenty years ago and want to give something back to this wonderful charity to say thank you for the amazing care she received. Unfortunately, Poppy never had the privilege to meet her Granny, but I know she would be so proud of what Poppy is doing now.

“Poppy and I enjoy cycling together as it is good for our fitness and great for father-daughter bonding time together. We have been cycling around the Lincoln area and making the most of the glorious weather over the past few weeks.

“Mum was such a lovely lady and an inspiration to so many people. Not only was she a fantastic, caring mother to me and my younger brother, Jamie, she was also an NHS nurse and later in life worked in private nursing homes. In her spare time, she was active within the Salvation Army, playing the cornet in their band and singing soprano in the Songsters.

“The care Mum received when she was in the Hospice was honestly better than a 10* hotel in Dubai! Nothing was too much trouble; from the warm welcome when we were visiting, cups of tea, they even offered a meal to close family. As a family, we can’t thank everyone involved enough. We can take comfort in the dignified and peaceful passing provided.”

Poppy added, “I enjoy riding my bike. Me and dad have a laugh while we are out cycling, and I have learnt a lot that I didn’t know about my Gran until we started this challenge.”

Poppy and Jonathan have already quadrupled their initial fundraising target of £100 and are determined to raise more money before their challenge draws to a close.