C4C – It’s a family affair!
With husbands and wives, mums and daughters, fathers and sons and even three generations pedalling together, it was certainly a family affair at Northamptonshire’s thirteenth favourite annual fundraising bike ride, Cycle4Cynthia!
The event, which was held at Holdenby House on Sunday (25th September) by kind permission of James and Karen Lowther, saw an incredible 1154 riders leap into their saddles to pedal almost 50,000 miles in total around the local countryside in aid of Cynthia Spencer Hospice.
Among them was the Guest family from Ravensthorpe,that of Anna and Bryan, their seven-year-old son Charles and daughter Cecelia aged 5. Bryan was the first of the 50-milers home yet unbeknown to him had earlier in the day been beaten to the finishing tape when Charles left his Mum and sister out on the 5-mile course to sprint home! “Not that he’s competitive at all!” explained Anna when they all met up to celebrate after collecting their special designed C4C medal marking the Hospice’s 40th year, which had been generously sponsored by Northampton-based lettings and sales agents, Chelton Brown.
For husband and wife team Grahame and Liz Mutch from Moulton it was rather more the case of ‘those that ride together, stay together’ after successfully negotiating the 25-mile route on a tandem which they had bought as a silver wedding anniversary gift for each other - some fifteen years earlier!
Meanwhile for Jessica Pilkington from Spratton, the ride was a particularly poignant affair as she, her 14 year old daughter Polly and Mum Patsy, aged 67, were cycling in memory of Jessica’s sister Jasmine, who passed away at the Hospice some three years ago aged just 39; “Jasmine was so lovingly cared for by all the team at Cynthia Spencer that Polly wanted to do something in memory of her aunt and, despite having pedalled no more that a few miles, decided it would be this ride” explained a very proud Jessica.
“So joining her as three generations seemed a fitting tribute to Jasmine and we’re delighted to have raised £1000 already with money still coming in.
“Yet even that couldn’t really show our gratitude to those who not only looked after us as a family but also allowed Jasmine to smile in her final days and ultimately give us such lasting, precious memories to treasure” she added.
Keeping up a longstanding partnership with Northampton Saints, the event was launched by prop and England captain Dylan Hartley before he himself, in keeping with the family theme of the event, pedalled off with partner Jo alongside, while she had their one year old daughter Thea in a basket on the back! Having just become a father, Dylan missed the 2015 ride but held true to his word to be back and sent the riders on their way with just a helpful word of warning – to avoid the puddles!
Indeed speaking at the end of the ride, which mercifully enjoyed dry weather after the overnight downpours, the Hospice’s fundraising manager John Helm offered his appreciation to all those who’d turned out; “I cannot say a big enough thank you to all those who gave up their warm, cosy beds to come out and make it such another special year” said John.
“From our team of marshals and volunteers, to Dylan and to Holdenby, to those cheering out in the villages and of course to the cyclists themselves, each with their own story as to why they were riding, who could have thought that it could be better than ever, yet it truly was!” he enthused.
It will be some time before it is known if the 2015 total of £76,000 has been bettered but for now, riders are kindly encouraged to collect their sponsorship money as quickly as possible and deliver or send it to Cynthia Spencer Hospice, Manfield Campus, Kettering Road, Northampton NN3 6NP, making cheques payable to ‘Cycle 4 Cynthia’.
Photos from the event will shortly be on the website - and on the Facebook page. Meanwhile to pledge your sponsorship or support for next year’s ride, please call the hospice on 01604 678082.