A teacher diagnosed with cancer is urging people to go the extra mile and sign up for St Elizabeth Hospice’s new fundraising cycle ride.
Stephen Dunnett, 52, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma nearly three years ago and underwent treatment at Ipswich Hospital.
He is currently in remission, but his experience has made him more aware of the specialist services the Hospice offers patients who have an illness from which they will not recover.
Mr Dunnett, head of maths at Thurleston High School in Ipswich, is a keen cyclist so has decided to sign up for On Your Bike! for St Elizabeth Hospice, to help raise funds for the charity.
Registration has just opened for the event – which takes place on Sunday 12th September and he is urging cyclists of all abilities to take part.
All routes start and finish in the beautiful grounds of the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, and there are three distances to choose from which weave through the picturesque Suffolk countryside:
- The Constable Country 50 – a 50 mile circular challenge taking in Boxford, East Bergholt and historic Lavenham.
- The Peninsula Pedal 5.5 mile – a fun ride for all ages and abilities around the Shotley peninsula with wonderful views of the River Orwell
- The Peninsula Pedal 11.5 mile – for those wanting a longer route around the Shotley peninsula
Mr Dunnett, who lives in Occold near Eye and is a member of Diss Cycling Club, will take part in the 50 mile route with his wife Kate, a teacher at Whitehouse Infants School in Ipswich.
He said: “I am in remission now and I hope to get the all clear. Until you get cancer you do not realise the level of support out there. It is a comfort to know the Hospice is there for patients and their families should they need it.
“I hope anybody who likes to cycle will sign up to On Your Bike! and help raise funds to help the Hospice keep providing those services in future.”
Rachael Mittell, of St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “This is a cycling event for everyone and we hope we will get a mixture of experienced cyclists, families and leisure cyclists enjoying the routes we have organised for them. There will be some stunning scenery to take in and we hope to raise thousands of pounds to help us to continue to provide services free of charge.”
The Constable Country 50 is £15 to register and there will be a staggered start from 8am to 9.30am. The Peninsula Pedal rides cost £5 per person and participants will be able to start from 9.45am to 10.30am.
Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
All cyclists are asked to raise sponsorship and all proceeds will help the Hospice, an independent charity which costs £6m a year to run, provide specialist care for patients throughout East Suffolk as well as support for their relatives and carers.
To register for On Your Bike email fundraising@stelizabethhospice.org.uk or call 01473 723600.
Last year Mr Dunnett and his family completed a cycling relay from Lands End to John O’Groats which raised £3,500 split between the Somersham Ward Support Group, the Cancer Information Centre and St Elizabeth Hospice.