A group of 51 local people have exceeded expectations and raised £100,000 for St Elizabeth Hospice after cycling from London to Paris in September.
The Hospice Team 100, which was made up of 51 men and women of all ages and cycling abilities, pedalled 300 miles over four days to raise funds for their local hospice.
When the group returned after their tiring tour they had raised £82,000, an incredible amount in itself, but the inspirational supporters were determined to reach the £100,000 mark for the charity that means so much to them.
Mark Millar, chief executive of the hospice, said: “Our Hospice Team 100 are an amazing group of people and we cannot thank them enough for what they have done for the hospice. Taking on the challenge of cycling 300 miles is enough of a feat but to raise the amount they have is absolutely amazing.
“They were all so resolute that we would reach their target of £100,000, I never had any doubt that they would – but we didn’t expect them to raise it so quickly!”
Each cyclist originally aimed to raise £1,850 which is enough to fund a hospice nurse for two months, but they’ve all exceeded this amount and worked as a team to raise far more than they originally set out to.
Mr Millar added: “All 51 of them have formed such a close bonded as a group which is lovely to see and they’re not stopping here with their fundraising either. They’ve got a Christmas fancy dress cycle ride planned, as well as quiz night, all in aid of the hospice.
“They have truly gone above and beyond to help the hospice and I want to thank every fantastic individual that took part. Every penny they have raised and been sponsored for really will make a difference to the lives of our patients and their loved ones.”
St Elizabeth Hospice provides vital care and support to more than 2,000 patients and their families living with a progressive illness every year. It costs millions of pounds a year to run the hospice and it relies on the generosity and support of the local community through fundraising activities such as the Hospice Team 100 to meet the majority of these costs.
£100,000 could pay to run St Elizabeth Hospice’s 24 hour OneCall phone line for around ten months, providing quick and easy access to advice and support from specialist staff to patients, families and healthcare professionals, putting their minds at rest at what is often a distressing and difficult time.
If you would like to sponsor the Hospice Team 100 or support their next fundraising event, please visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/hospiceteam100 for details.