Ride for Ryder News

Cyclists brave the high winds to Ride for Ryder

On Sunday 22nd June, five members of the Avon Sue Ryder Care Cycling Team took part in the 2008 Bristol’s Biggest Bike Ride, raising nearly £1000 for the charity.

The riders fought against high winds to cycle down the Portway, Bristol. The journey should take about 15 minutes to cycle but the headwinds meant it took twice as long.

Rachael Giles, a PA for Atkins Bland, cycled the “Family Fiesta” – a nine mile route along the Portway and then back into Greville Smyth Park, Bedminister, Bristol. “It was fun and I am glad I took part but the winds made it a real challenge.”

Two couples tackled the dangerous cross winds of the Avonmouth Bridge on their 18 mile Failand Heights route. Julia Damsell, a student nurse in Bristol, and her boyfriend Paul Phillips managed to cycle across the bridge but Lucy Whigham, the local Sue Ryder Care representative, and her fiancé Kevin Power, chef at the Full Moon Restaurant, decided to walk across.

The Failand Heights route lived up to its name. “You go round a bend and see a massive hill stretching away in front of you. Worse still, when you thought you were at the top of that hill, you rounded another corner and saw even more hill in front of you!” says the group.

“As a severe asthma sufferer, I wanted to raise money for Sue Ryder Care’s work in Malawi where we hold asthma clinics in remote parts of the country. I know the money I have raised will help people who do not have the luxury of instant access to medication that I do. Without my inhalers, and the team, I don’t think I would have made the 18 miles,” said Lucy.

All five members of the Sue Ryder Care team finished their routes in very good times and without coming off their bikes.

WELL DONE AND THANK YOU FOR RAISING NEARLY £1000

BAE staff take to their bikes for the Prestwick Cycle Challenge

Over the course of three days in June, 90 intrepid cyclists from BAE Systems took on the Prestwick Cycle Challenge, which this year was a 240-mile bike ride starting from Prestwick and finishing in Donegal, Ireland. 

The route took them through some spectacular scenery as they made their way along coast roads, accompanied by a support crew of 16.

BAE Systems has been organising this annual event since 1997 and have so far raised a staggering £146,500 which has been split between their partner charity and charities local to their site.  The money is still being collected in, but the team estimate that they will have raised about £20,000 this year, so Sue Ryder Care will benefit from £10,000 – a great start by BAE for fundraising north of the border.

Kevin Coventry, a member of the organising committee, said: “In previous years we have cycled all over Scotland. We’ve visited the islands of Arran, Mull, Bute, Skye and Gigha. We’ve cycled up the west coast & the Great Glen, around the Mull of Kintyre, through the Cairngorms, Sutherland and Caithness, around Galloway and the Borders, even venturing south of the border at Berwick. This year was our first full event outside Scotland and everyone really enjoyed the Irish experience.”

Carol Anne McMahon, Area Fundraising Manager (West of Scotland) for Sue Ryder Care said: “We are delighted that BAE Systems’ Regional Aircraft facility in Prestwick kicked off our charity partnership in such a spectacular way – and what a challenge they took on.  They are getting right behind our partnership and already have more events lined up which is fantastic news.”

The Sue Ryder Care - Old Palace Bike Ride was a great success!

70 cyclists turned up to support us and cycle the three routes on offer. It was a fantastic day and everyone really enjoyed themselves. The Waterbeach Barracks were fantastic and because of their support and the support of local people, the event went brilliantly.

We hope to raise £2,500 from donations and sponsorship money. Thank you to everyone involved for making Sunday such a memorable day. Because of its success we hope to make it an annual event so watch out for next year's event!

 

Four Bristol Cyclists get on their bikes and join Ride For Ryder

A team of four cyclists from Bristol are urging people to join them in this year’s Bristol’s Biggest Bike Ride or stage their own Ride for Ryder event and raise money for Sue Ryder Care.

The quartet will tackle an 18 mile course around Bristol in the city’s popular cycling event on 22 June – and hope to raise £2,000 for Sue Ryder Care.

Lucy Whigham, fundraiser for Sue Ryder Care in Bristol, said, “I’m really looking forward to Bristol’s Biggest Bike Ride, which promises to be a great day and lots of fun.  And, I’d like to say a big thank you to Kevin and Paul from the Full Moon Backpackers Hostel and Julia for taking part in the event also and raising vital funds for Sue Ryder Care. 

“We are well on our way to reaching our fundraising target of £2,000 but would greatly appreciate any support from the local community – whether that be through sponsorship or joining our team and taking part in Bristol’s Biggest Bike Ride.   All money that we raise will go directly to Sue Ryder Care to help the charity make a real difference to the lives of the thousands of people it cares for each year.”

Balloons not boats draw crowds at the Henley Regatta site

Eleven Virgin Hot Air Balloons in spectacular mass launch from the banks of the Thames. It was not boats, but Virgin hot air balloons which amazed crowds at the site of the Henley Royal Regatta at the weekend with a spectacular mass launch.

The sky above Oxfordshire turned red on Saturday evening as eleven of Virgin Balloon Flights’ balloons took off from the picturesque home of the famous boating event, on the banks of the River Thames.

Hundreds of spectators stopped to watch the event hosted by Mark Shemilt, Virgin Balloon Flights’ pilot in the area, who usually takes people on Champagne balloon flights from sites around the region.

He had invited Virgin pilots from all over the UK and also offered charity Sue Ryder Care the chance to attend and raise funds on the day.

Mark said: “It was a fabulous day. Flying a balloon is a once in a lifetime experience and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m delighted we were also able to raise some funds for Sue Ryder Care as it’s a excellent charity.”

Mark also thanked the Henley Royal Regatta Committee for granting permission for the rare launch.

Regatta secretary Daniel Grist said: “We are thrilled to play host to such a spectacular event. This is certainly something that you don’t see every day.”

Geraldine Harmon, from Sue Ryder Care, said the total amount raised was not yet known but Virgin Balloon Flights had also donated some flights to auction off for the charity.

“We were over the moon when Virgin Balloon Flights contacted us. It is great exposure for the charity and we are very grateful for all the generous donations we have received,” she added.

The balloons took off from Henley at around 5pm on Saturday 20 September and flew for around an hour, eventually landing south of Reading. All passengers enjoyed a traditional Champagne toast.