16 Nov 09: Ride for Life success

16th November 2009

Participants and organisers of Ride For Life, a cycling and walking event in aid of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), have celebrated the success of this year’s annual event.

A total of 1075 cyclists and walkers combined took part in this year's Ride for Life, which takes place at Thetford Forest, raising a staggering £62,500 for EACH.

EACH provides care and support for life-threatened children and their families in their own homes, as well as at the charity’s hospices based at Ipswich in Suffolk, which also serves North Essex, Quidenham in Norfolk and Milton in Cambridgeshire.

This year it is anticipated that it will cost around £5.8 million to run all three of our hospice services - approximately 72 per cent of this is required from voluntary donations.

A presentation evening was held at Santon Downham village hall this week, where prizes were awarded to corporate and individual fundraisers as well as dedicated volunteers, without whom the event simply could not function.

Andrew Kedar, of Santon Downham, who scooped the outstanding support award with his wife Margaret, said:" Ride For Life is an incredibly well-organised event and we are delighted to be involved with it.

"It is lovely to be recognised with the outstanding support trophy and we are glad that we have been able to help East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices to raise funds to continue their vital work."

Karen Chesney, EACH events fundraiser, said: "We are delighted with the success of the Ride for Life events, which go from strength to strength every year."

The next Ride for Life takes place at Santon Downham on Sunday May 16.