Cyclists needed for European challenge for hospice

February 12, 2019 by Joanna

A local children’s hospice is looking for those with pedal power to join them for their bespoke cycling challenge this September.

Havens Hospices, which cares for children, adults and young people with life-limiting illnesses and their families from across Essex at its two hospices and in the community, are looking for cyclists for a unique cycling challenge. The three-day challenge will see Team Havens cycle 207 miles from the charity’s children’s hospice Little Havens in Thundersley to Bruges, Belgium over 3 days.

Gary Boreham, who last year took part in a ride from Little Havens to Amsterdam, said, “I first took part in a cycle for Havens Hospices in 2012. A group of friends got together and rode to Cornwall over five days. Last year I decided to challenge myself further and joined Team Havens in a ride to Amsterdam.

“The challenge to ride to Amsterdam was hard at times, I hadn’t been on the bike for five years. The whole ride was fantastic, meeting new people and having a laugh with them while struggling up the hills. Going the wrong way for five miles wasn’t much fun but that was my own fault thinking I know best! 

“Anyone can cycle, a few months training and you can go a lot further than you think. Cycling for Havens and meeting good people is something I will always want to do. Other than have a good laugh, it gives you a sense of achievement and pride to know you have raised money to help support Havens, which is an amazing charity.”

The Little Havens to Bruges cycle will leave Little Havens Hospice in Thundersley on Thursday 26^th September 2019 and the group will cycle 55 miles to Harwich. There they will catch a ferry to the Hoek of Holland and then cycle 60 miles to Breda. Day three will see the longest cycle, taking them from Breda to Bruges, totalling 92 miles. The group will then return by coach and Eurostar from Bruges to St Pancreas.

Havens Hospices Challenge Fundraiser, Emma Hamilton, who herself took part in the Little Havens to Amsterdam cycle, said, “I’m more of a runner than a cyclist so riding from Little Havens to Amsterdam was a real challenge but it was so much fun. There were a great group of people as part of Team Havens and we all supported each other throughout. Once we reached Amsterdam there was a great sense of achievement.”

“Havens Hospices includes Little Havens Hospice for children, The J’s Hospice for young adults and Fair Havens for adults with life-limiting conditions. We help by offering respite, symptom management and end of life care both at our hospices and in the community. We must raise £100,000 each week to be there for every child, young adult, patient and family who needs us and this is only possible thanks to people like Gary who take on challenges like this and continue to support us.”

For more information on the Little Havens to Bruges cycle or any other challenge contact Emma Hamilton on 01702 220308 or email ehamilton@havenshospices.org.uk.