Businesses across east Suffolk came together at Trinity Park tonight for the final of a charity cycle challenge to see winners declared and prizes awarded.
Over the last two weeks, solicitors, events companies, retailers, engineers and more have been going pedal crazy to raise funds for St Elizabeth Hospice as part of the charity’s RideFest challenge.
Over the two weeks, participants have cycled almost 3,000km, enough to get them to Rome and back, in a bid to claim the yellow jersey and bragging rights over Suffolk businesses for the next 12 months.
Ollie Langham, corporate fundraising manager at St Elizabeth Hospice said: “It’s been an incredible two weeks. We couldn’t have predicted how well the event would be received and organisations have really gone all out to maximise their fundraising for us.
“While it’s brought fun to the offices and we’ve seen teams and organisations really come together to support each other, there is a serious side to it all. Every single penny raised by those that have taken part in RideFest will go towards ensuring we provide the best service possible for the local people that need us in their time of need.”
Claiming the overall team prize, beating strong competition throughout the field, and claiming the yellow jersey for the office wall was Beagle Property. The team managed to cycle a huge 171.3kms in their one hour race at their offices and then claimed victory on the night by cycling 17.4kms in the final 20 minute race, just 0.2kms more than Ipswich Building Society who came second. Ansaback finished in third place overall.
In the CEO race, Steve Cox of MLM took first place, Emma Woollard of Blocks Solicitors took second with Peter Blake of Prettys Solicitors coming a close third. All three receive £1,500 of work from race sponsor Painting pixels as their prize.
On the night, a competition between those that attended was also held. For a £2 donation to the charity, participants took part in a fastest kilometre race with Ashton Armstrong (no relation to Lance) from Cotswold Outdoor claiming victory completing one kilometre in front of the crowd in an impressive 54 seconds.
Other prizes were awarded to Hazel Davidson from Ansaback to for best photo and Tanya Felton from Prettys Solicitors won best sport.
Finally, and most important of all, Pound the Hound from Ipswich Building Society conquered in the mascot race, beating strong competition from Suki the Panda from the Spa Pavilion in Felixstowe and hospice mascots Woolly Pully and Honey Bee in their two minute race. Hospice patient Richard Sanders presented Pound the Hound with his winning yellow jersey.
Mr Langham said: “It’s been an incredible night and we’ve raised a great amount of money for the hospice. I’d like to say thank you to our sponsors Painting Pixels, REH Kennedy, Sackers, John Grose, Trinity Park, Colourchange UPVC and all the local businesses that took part in the event. We simply couldn’t have done it without them. Here’s to next year!”