Around 70 lycra-clad cyclists arrived at Rye station on the Wednesday morning, September 18 stopping off for a snack and drink break on their four-day journey to Amsterdam, cycling to raise money for St Michael’s Hospice in Hastings and St Wilfrid’s Hospice in Eastbourne.
Some of the group, raising money for St Wilfrid’s Hospice had started the day in Eastbourne, joining the Hastings contingent for the first leg to Rye. The cyclists were then heading for lunch at Newchurch before travelling to Dover for the ferry and an overnight stay in Dunkirk. The 460-kilometre ride will take the group through cycle-friendly cities and countryside in France, Belgium and Holland.
The ride has been sponsored by Identity, a global event production company, with their headquarters in Eastbourne, who organise large scale events such as the coronation of King Charles and London’s new year’s eve fireworks. Eleven members of the company are taking part and have undertaken several training sessions before setting out. With over £18,000 raised so far, they are well on their way to reaching their £21,000 target.
There was a very positive and enthusiastic mood amongst the riders and they were obviously pleased that the morning had gone so well despite it being quite windy and having to tackle some long hills. One said that there had been positive reactions from the public. “We’ve had a fantastic response on the way. There have even been people with placards, cheering us on.”
At the station riders were met by a group of friends and family of Caroline Lane who is cycling with her two daughters, Hannah and Jessica to raise £10,000 for St Michael’s Hospice, in memory of her father, Norman Richardson, and to date have raised over £8,500. Also there to welcome them was the mayor, Andy Stuart offering words of encouragement and support.
Caroline Lane’s mother, Jeanette Richardson was there to cheer her daughter and granddaughters on. “They have been training hard and are a nervous about the roads but they are staying in a group of five to spur each other on.”
At the end of the first day, Caroline wrote: “It’s been an awesome day, even if we did have to cycle the Hastings and Dover hills. Super proud of my girls, Jessica and Hannah Lane – you smashed it. Thank you to everyone who turned out along the journey to cheer us on.”
By Thursday morning the group had reached Belgium and were due to cycle 106 miles in one day.
For those who would like to donate to this important cause please visit Caroline’s just giving page here. You can follow their journey on her facebook page.
Image Credits: Juliet Duff .