Essex cancer charity gets ready to ride to raise money

Riders can sign up for a choice of routes through the Essex countryside. (Photo credit: Blake Mark Productions)

Submitted by Helen Rollason Cancer Charity

The Helen Rollason Cancer Charity is once again asking Essex residents to get peddling to support people with cancer.

The Ride for Helen Essex event will cover five scenic routes through the Essex countryside, with race distances of six miles, 15 miles, 30 miles, 50 miles and 65 miles all starting and finishing in Hatfield Peverel, Essex.

Registration is now open for anyone who wants to ride and the family-friendly event is suitable for all ages and abilities. Teams and individuals are welcome to take part and the registration pack includes route maps, route signage, first aid support, mobile mechanic support and recovery, refreshments and a medal for finishers.

The race starts at the Crix in Hatfield Peverel, just outside Chelmsford and the choice of routes available includes:

• Six miles - For beginner riders or families with children, this route involves cycling on country lanes and roads around Hatfield Peverel. All adult registrations for the six-mile route qualify for two free child places.
• 15 miles - For the occasional cyclist looking for a pleasant ride, this route passes through Church End, Rank’s Green, and Fairstead.
• 30 miles - For the regular cyclist looking for a challenge, you will be cycling on roads passing through Rank’s Green, White Notley, Silver End, Kelvedon and Great Braxted.
• 50 miles – For the keen adult cyclist on roads passing through Great Leighs, Felsted, Thaxted, Stisted, Black Notley and Fairstead.
• 65 miles - For the experienced adult cyclist looking for a challenging ride passing through Great Leighs, Felsted, Thaxted, Steeple Bumpstead, Finchingfield, Stisted, Black Notley and Fairstead.

Positive feedback from last year’s event included:

• Gregory Bloyce aged 9, from Maldon took part in the six-mile route with his dad and raised £600 in sponsorship. He said: “I really enjoyed the event but got a bit wet in the rain! Next year I hope to do the 15 mile route and I can’t wait."
• Jenny Goodson, 60, from Coggeshall and Julie Atkinson, 52, from Hatfield Peverel both completed the 30-mile ride. Jenny said; “We had a brilliant day and were thoroughly impressed with the organisation and social distancing measures that had been put in place. The route was easy to follow with very little traffic so it was a most enjoyable ride.”
• Regular cyclist Kevin Smith, 54, from Dunmow took part in the 65-mile route: "As a keen cyclist, I have taken part in various cycle rides in the past and I have to say that the organisation of Ride for Helen has been fantastic with the routes well mapped-out and clearly signed."

Karen Mitchell, Helen Rollason Cancer Charity community fundraiser, said: "We are so excited for Ride for Helen Essex 2022, and plans are already well underway. We want 2022 to be the most successful year to date so please sign up today, individually or as a team.

"It costs around £850,000 annually to keep our charity operational. Therefore, we really need to make this event a success and raise as much money as possible to keep supporting those with cancer."

This year, the Ride for Helen event is sponsored by Bellway Homes.  

Greg Spires​, land and planning graduate at Bellway. said: "As a major developer across Essex, we are delighted to be sponsoring and supporting Helen Rollason Cancer Charity for the ‘Ride for Helen’ event in 2022.

"We have admired the outstanding efforts of Helen Rollason across the county, and indeed the country, for many years and we are optimistic that the event will be a resounding success. We have been consistently supportive in our fundraising efforts for our own charity partner, Cancer Research UK, and we are relishing the opportunity to show our support for Helen Rollason as they continue to do an invaluable service for those affected by cancer."

For more information or the register, visit: www.rideforhelen.co.uk.

Should the event need to be cancelled as a result of Covid-19 restrictions, registrants will be entitled to a full refund.

Get all the latest news, updates, things to do and more from your local InYourArea feed.