Gear up for good: Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge returns for the 14th year!
Pilgrims Hospices is thrilled to announce the 14th annual Cycle Challenge, set to take place on Sunday, May 5th, 2024. This renowned event continues its tradition of raising vital funds to support the skilled and compassionate care within the three hospices and across the communities of east Kent.
Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge has become a staple in the region, attracting cyclists of all levels from near and far to embark on a journey of camaraderie and support for a worthy cause. Over the years, this event has garnered immense support, with participants, sponsors, and volunteers coming together to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those facing the last year of life.
This year, we’re cranking it up with as many as 1,200 riders ready to conquer routes that wind through scenic landscapes and charming villages in east Kent. Whether you’re an experienced rider seeking a challenging route or a novice cyclist looking for a leisurely ride, there’s something for everyone at the Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge.
Ride it your way by choosing one of five ride distances and routes,
The Circuit: 30 miles
The Classic: 50 miles
The Challenge: 75 miles
The Century: 100 miles
The Epic: 125 miles
“We’re thrilled to host our 14th annual Cycle Challenge, continuing our mission to provide compassionate care and support to individuals facing life-limiting illnesses,” said Sue Sharp, Director of Income Generation at Pilgrims Hospices. “The Cycle Challenge not only raises vital funds for hospice care but also brings our community together in a spirit of unity and generosity.”
Early birds get the worm, or in this case, a spot on the start line on the 5th May! Secure your saddle and start revving those fundraising engines to support hospice patients and their families. Funds raised from the Cycle Challenge will go directly towards providing essential services, including medical care, counselling, and support programs, ensuring that individuals facing a life-limiting illness receive the compassionate care they deserve.
Pilgrims Hospices extends its gratitude to all participants, sponsors, and volunteers for their incredible support, which enables the charity to continue its invaluable work in the community.
Join us on May 5th, 2024, as we pedal for a purpose and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 people in east Kent who are coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity supports patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
4th August 2020
Pedal power for Pilgrims
Cycling enthusiast and dedicated Pilgrims Hospices supporter Peter Brun, took his lockdown daily exercise allowance to a different level to help raise funds for his local hospice charity. Peter who is 80 years old, has been cycling the lanes around his home in Hawkinge to reach a distance of 317 miles; the distance between his home and Barnard Castle in Durham. His tongue in cheek play on this much published journey has helped him to raise £500 for hospice care.
Peter smiled and told us: “I’ve actually cycled 417 miles; I decided to do a little sight-seeing along my way too. Some blue-bell woods, local landmarks and beauty spots have made my journey very rewarding.
“I wanted to do something really positive with my daily exercise during these challenging times. My aim to cover the Barnard Castle mileage and get the rides sponsored for an organisation who’s fundraising has been hit by the pandemic, seemed like an excellent way to support them.
“I often went out with a camera and captured our wonderful countryside in its glory. Cycling during the lockdown has been very pleasant, the roads were less busy which has allowed walkers and cyclist to enjoy the lanes so much more than in ‘normal’ times. It was good to be reminded of what a beautiful area we live in.”
I wanted to do something really positive with my daily exercise during these challenging times.
Peter
The rides were not all trouble free; his bike suffered some slow punctures along the way but nothing that kept him for continuing his journeys.
Peter added: “Thank goodness for internet shopping which enabled me to replenish cycle repair kits and to obtain tyre liners to reduce the chance of puncturing. But more importantly, thank you to those who have made a donation to Pilgrims Hospices. I have enjoyed my rides and if you would like to make a donation to my Just Giving page, that would be wonderful too.”
Peter had been waiting for surgery which was postponed due to the COVID-19 lockdown, his cycling helped him to stay fit and well enough to be re-assessed, and he will have knee replacement surgery quite soon. We wish Peter a speedy recovery.
Care is provided from three hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet as well as in patients’ own homes. To offer these services to patients and their families the charity must raise £11 million each year from the generous local community.
22nd June 2020
Good luck from everyone at Pilgrims!
The team at Clague Architects in Canterbury have been clocking up the miles in aid of Pilgrims Hospices. 15 members of the team have pledged to complete a total of 140 miles by cycling, walking or through other creative means.
Chris Sherlock-Scougall – Associate Architect, started off the challenge.
Chris Sherlock-Scougall, Associate Architect, started off the challenge by connecting Dymchurch and Folkestone. Getting creative, Chris ditched the traditional methods and instead donned his roller blades completing laps around his garden. He successfully covered the 10 miles he needed to pass the virtual baton over to Cheryl Warwick and Stuart Bonnage who completed the next leg to Marine Parade Dover using a more conventional manner, their bikes!
Cheryl Warwick, Architectural Technologist said: “Pilgrims is a charity close to many people’s hearts and now more than ever we need to show our support.
“This was a perfect challenge to reboot our support for Pilgrims as well as bringing the team together.”
The team are aiming to finish the relay mid July at their offices based in Burgate, Canterbury.
Good luck from everyone at Pilgrims!
We are so grateful to have businesses like Clague as part of our community.
Leila, Pilgrims
Colleagues at Clague have long been supporting Pilgrims, entering teams into various events including the annual Pilgrims Cycle Challenge which sees over 1,000 cyclists take on various routes across east Kent. In 2019, a group of staff took on the London Revolution Cycle challenge raising over £500.
Cheryl Warwick – Architectural Technologist who completed the Marine Parade, Dover leg.
Leila Ilkhan, Canterbury Community Fundraising Manager thanks the team at Clague for their wonderful support saying: “With the unexpected challenges we have been faced with over the last few months, we are so grateful to have businesses like Clague as part of our community. As a team, Clague is making a big difference to the lives of patients and their families living with an incurable illness. Their support is so very much appreciated by everyone at Pilgrims.”
Clague have set up an online giving page. If you would like to support their challenge you can do so here.
There are so many ways that you can continue to support Pilgrims. Click here for some virtual fundraising ideas.
If you would like to take on a challenge in support of Pilgrims we would love to hear from you. Please contact our fundraising team here.
We need you more than ever; our local community means everything to us.
This year alone, Pilgrims Hospices has to raise £11 million through voluntary donations in order to run our full range of services. Sponsorship raised through events like these helps us to continue caring for local people at the end of their lives.
