Gearing up for cycling challenge to support CHSW
Global leader of vacuum and abatement, Edwards Vacuum are marking 10 years of being Gold sponsor of Children’s Hospice South West’s (CHSW) annual, sell-out 205 mile cycle event, Ride for Precious Lives in July.
Ride for Precious Lives is a 205 mile, 3 day, cycling challenge which sees over 100 cyclists take on the challenge. The event will take place on 7-9 July and encompasses all three of CHSW’s children’s hospices across the South West region. The avid cyclists will take to their saddles at Little Harbour in Cornwall, and will visit Little Bridge House in Barnstaple along the way and will finish at Charlton Farm near Bristol.
Last year’s event raised over £250,000 and the sponsorship made by Edwards ensures the event costs are covered along with the participants registration fee. Every year, members of the company take part in the 3 day event which this year will see 20 employees complete the route between our 3 hospices on 7 -9 July but will also see half of these continue their journey to John O groats over a further 8 days of cycling.
The team at Edwards have a combined fundraising target of £44,000.
Neil Mehta, General Manager, Edwards Clevedon said:
Edwards are proud and honoured to yet again support Ride for Precious Lives 2023. It is a humbling experience to meet the staff, families and children at these amazing centres and an uplifting experience to ride with people from all walks of life all with the common aim of supporting this great charity.
Fundraising has been in full swing with participants clocking up their training miles at David Lloyd, Long Ashton in Bristol. Adrian Coombs, who is celebrating his 10th year of Ride for Precious Lives joined the team at Edwards along with members of local businesses and support from CHSW and has raised nearly £1500. The day ended with a raffle and cake sale, which contributed to funds raised on the day. Adrian tells us his reasons for his participation over the past 10 years, he said: “The comradery is just first class, it’s not a race, you just have to get to start to finish. It gives you such an amazing feeling knowing you have done something to assist those children with short and precious lives. It’s a challenge, but if I can do it anyone can.”
CHSW relies almost entirely on voluntary donations to keep supporting over 500 children with life limiting and life-threatening illnesses and their families. All three hospices across the South West supports children, young people and their families as they face challenging medical diagnoses. The hospices provide services including specialist palliative care, family respite, emergency support, end of life care and a bereavement service.
Tamara Downes, Head of Fundraising at CHSW said: “We are delighted that Edwards have come on board once again as sponsors for our Ride for Precious Lives. Without companies like Edwards and supporters like Adrian we couldn’t keep our funding at the levels needed. People are incredible and we are so grateful, their sponsorship means that even more money raised by those taking part can go straight towards helping support the children and families that we offer care to at our three hospices.
We look forward to cheering them on throughout the weekend.
There are still a few places remaining for next year’s Ride for Precious Lives in 2024 so if you are interested in taking part, sign up on our website or call your nearest CHSW hospice and speak with a member of the Fundraising Team.