Over 200 cyclists from around the county and beyond, gathered at Trinity Park near Ipswich on Sunday 5th September for the inaugural Ride for Helen Suffolk cycle ride organised by Helen Rollason Cancer Charity raising over £7,000!
The event offered cyclists the chance to sign up for either 65 or 35 mile routes through some of the beautiful Suffolk countryside. Social distancing measures were put in place as required to ensure riders could take part with confidence and guidelines set out by British Cycling were followed. Alongside the main event, Mr Grims Big Bike Bash and Bike Jumble took place on site alongside a selection of vintage bikes and Penny Farthings.
The 65 mile route for the experienced cyclists took them through the villages and towns of Grundisburgh, Clopton Green, Monewden, Kettleburgh, Brandeston, Earl Soham, Saxtead Green, Framlingham, Wickham Market, Tunstall Forest, Chillesford, Melton and Woodbridge. Whilst the 35 mile route passed through Grundisburgh, Clopton Green, Monewden, Sutton Hoo, Easton, Wickham Market, Ufford, Melton and Woodbridge. Both routes showed off the stunning Suffolk countryside with marshals and arrows guiding the way.
Helen Rollason Cancer Charity Community Fundraiser Karen Mitchell said: “What a fantastic turnout with over 200 supporters attending our very first Ride for Helen Suffolk cycling ride, raising over £7,000 for the charity! This event will fund 140 counselling appointments or 280 reflexology sessions for our clients.
We were delighted to have John Grose car dealership onboard as headline sponsor for Ride for Helen Suffolk and thank Ian and his team for supporting our event. We’d also like to thank the following local businesses and volunteers for supporting Ride for Helen;
• East of England Co-Op and Munchy’s Seeds for providing riders snacks and water
• The Old Felixstowe Brewing Co. for their well-received beers!
• Birketts Law Firm for providing financial support
• Elmy Cycles of Ipswich for helping with promotion, cycle checks and rider maintenance on the day
• Hudson Group Ipswich for donating all printing requirements for the event
• Volunteer photographer John Triston
And certainly not forgetting the countless other Volunteers, friends and family who gave up their day to make Ride for Helen such a success. Thank you one and all!”
Volunteer Sam Sutton-Reid from Mersea took part in the event; “After losing a close friend to cancer suddenly last year I was delighted to hear HRCC had plans to host a Suffolk edition to their very successful Ride for Helen Essex event and keen to support the team at HRCC in the event’s inaugural year. As I’ve seen first-hand, cancer is an indiscriminate force that impacts far too many people. The work that the wonderful people of HRCC do to help in ways not typically covered through the average care plan is invaluable in helping those living with cancer. And if I can help them through cycling, then I’m always keen.”
Karen continues; “It costs around £850,000 annually to keep our charity operational. Therefore, we really needed to make this event a success and raise as much money as possible to keep supporting men and women living with cancer.
Here are some examples of the impact we have on our clients:
“You have helped me so much. I honestly do not think I would have got through this period without your weekly support. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
“The counsellor has given me back my joy in life. She has taught me how to deal with my own concerns using methods enabling me to deal with worries and fears as they come along.”
Photographs for purchase will be available soon; keep an eye on our website and social media channels for updates!
