Imogen’s Pedalling Party take on Ride for Precious Lives
On the 12 July 2024, Emma and Mark Smale from Bideford will be taking part in Children’s Hospice South West’s (CHSW) Ride for Precious Lives Event.
Alongside their friends Carly Jones, Nick Stevens, Michael Davis and Steve Warner, not only will they be celebrating what would’ve been their daughter Imogen’s 13th birthday, but they will also be raising vital funds for “the most incredible charity.”
The Smale family visited Little Bridge House children’s hospice with Imogen in the time leading up to her death in March 2016, and continue receiving support from the hospice in their bereavement journey.
Ride for Precious Lives is a 3 day cycling event, covering 200 miles across 3 counties in 3 days. None of the group are cyclists, and the majority of them didn’t event own a bike before signing up to the challenge.
The group, who call themselves ‘Imogen’s Pedalling Party’ have held various fundraising events in preparation for Ride for Precious Lives.
A quiz night and raffle they held raised an incredible £4,697.80. 
They also held a Race Night, at Queen Anne’s Café, Barnstaple where they managed to cover all costs through sponsorship and donations from local businesses and attendees, making everything raised on the night profit.
Steve Warner, who organised the Race Night, said: “We were hopeful our target of £1000 for the evening would be achievable, but it was massively exceeded.
"We raised £1688 on the evening and the feedback was that people had had a thoroughly good evening and when was the next one.
"Thanks goes to all our sponsors, donators, Queen Anne’s cafe, my incredible team of helpers and of course our amazing and generous guests.
It was a great night, a successful night from a fundraising point of view and also a great opportunity to let off a bit of steam.
Emma, Imogen’s mother, said: “Doing this challenge is going to be tough but we know Imogen will be with us every pedal of the way and will keep us going."
Your sponsorship will mean the world to us and will help to ensure that CHSW can continue to help many more families throughout the South West.
Donations can be made to the team’s JustGiving here, where their total is at an incredible £12,611.