Cycle4Cynthia back to pre-Covid glory with over £40,000 raised so far!
661 riders from across Northamptonshire and beyond took part in this year’s Cycle4Cynthia at Althorp on Sunday (25 September 2022), returning to pre-pandemic participation levels for the largest fundraising event in the Cynthia Spencer Hospice calendar.
As the mist lifted and the sun began to poke through, large deer antlers could be seen moving across the Althorp parkland as hundreds of cyclists gathered in the 'Event Village' for the first time since the pandemic.
At the sound of the klaxon, Earl Spencer – Cynthia Spencer Hospice’s Patron – and BBC Radio Northampton’s John Griff started the four different rides of 5, 10, 25 and 50 miles. Just two days after the event, the fundraising total is already over £40,000.
Edward 'Ed' Hawkins, a Response Officer with Northamptonshire Police, took part for the first time this year - cycling 50 miles in tribute to his late mother-in-law, raising an incredible £1,300. Ed said:
"It was such a lovely route! After 33 miles I started to find it difficult but the flapjacks at the pit stops along the way kept me going. I was compelled to take part as a way of giving something back for the exceptional care my partner's mum received as an inpatient at the hospice several times as well as in the comfort of her own home by the Hospice at Home team."
Piroto Labelling Limited stepped in as the headline sponsor for the first time this year, having been involved with Cycle4Cynthia and the hospice for many years. Piroto’s Managing Director, Leigh Mann, said:
"Cycle4Cynthia has been great for us as a business and the team’s been promoting it on LinkedIn to build awareness with our customers and suppliers. It’s a warm-up for us ahead of coming back as headline sponsor for next year which is our 50th anniversary. Although people keep saying to me that means I have to do the 50 mile route!”
Anita Frith, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Cynthia Spencer Hospice Charity, said:
"It was incredible to see the event return to pre-pandemic rider levels with the largest gathering of participants since 2019. We’re so grateful to Earl Spencer and the Althorp Estate team for helping us create a great ride this year. And of course huge thanks to all our riders, volunteers and corporate sponsors for coming back together to join us in this fantastic celebration of cycling for the hospice. So far the event has raised £40,000 and we’re really hoping the final amount will smash through the £50,000 mark. This amount would be a real reflection of the amazing energy and love our supporters have for the ride and for the hospice as we continue to face fundraising challenges coming out of the post-pandemic period.”