Pedal for Havens Hospice this May Bank Holiday
The Havens Hospice Pedal event has gone virtual for 2021.
Jennie Spittle is taking on the Havens Hospice Pedal event for the second time. PHOTO: Marie Gofted
Submitted by Havens Hospices
An Essex hospice is encouraging people to use pedal power to raise vital funds after its annual bike ride was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Havens Hospices' Pedal event usually takes place in Chelmsford, Essex, but this year, it will be completed virtually.
Participants can set themselves their own distance target to cycle across the weekend of Friday, April 30 and Monday, May 3. Fundraisers can cycle the miles however they wish to, either embracing the outdoors, staying home using an exercise bike or a mix of both.
It is free to register to take part, but the charity is asking participants to consider making a suggested £15 donation or raise sponsorship to held fund specialist hospice care.
By donating a minimum of £15, cyclists will receive a 'Pedal Medal' to commemorate their achievement.
Havens Hospices would love as many communities around Essex as possible to get involved and see how many times collectively they can cycle ‘virtually’ around the length of the Essex border – approximately 130 miles.
One participant who will be taking part in the charity’s Pedal event for the second time is48-year-old Jennie Spittle from Hockley. Jennie is an avid supporter of Havens Hospices and since 2017, she has taken part in many fundraising events as well as volunteering for the charity.
Jennie has first-hand experience of the difference the charity makes to families across Essex. In 2015, the Fair Havens Hospice at Home team cared for her father at the end of his life after he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. His wish was to die at home and the charity supported the family to make this possible.
Jennie said: "We lost Dad to cancer in May 2015, after he fought hard for a year. At the end of his life, Fair Havens Hospice at Home helped us fulfil dad’s wish to die at home – they made this possible with the dedicated care they provided and gave my mum much-needed respite as she was caring for him around the clock.
"Havens Hospices are truly remarkable. I’ve seen how they care for people, they really do make every day count. By supporting Havens Hospices, it keeps Dad’s memory alive for me."
Jennie is a very keen cyclist and until her own cancer diagnosis last August, she would cycle approximately 100 miles plus per week. Now recovering from her treatment, Jennie has her eyes set on taking part in Pedal.
She said: "I love the speed of cycling on the road and it allows me to visit lots of places in the Essex countryside - places I wouldn’t normally get to see if it wasn’t for cycling.
"I urge everyone to get involved with cycling - whatever age or fitness. Being outdoors and being active is excellent for both mental and physical health.
"Not only is Pedal a great event to take part in for those reasons but you are also supporting local hospice care for your community – it’s a great 'feel good' boost all the way."
Lucy Burgess, event fundraiser at Havens Hospices said: "Although we are disappointed that our usual Pedal for The J’s event couldn’t go ahead this year in Chelmsford, we are really looking forward to bringing a virtual Pedal event to our communities so we can raise vital funds for our essential care.
"This has been an unprecedented year for the charity but we have continued to provide our specialist palliative nursing and supportive care to everyone who needs us, whenever they need us and that’s all thanks to the support and generosity of our supporters.
For more information and to sign up, click here.
The charity kindly asks participants to follow the latest government guidelines on social distancing at the time of the event taking place.
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