Almost 1,000 cyclists from around the county and beyond, gathered at the The Crix in Hatfield Peverel on Sunday 19th May to take part in Ride for Helen 2019, raising in the region of £28,000 for the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity!
The annual bike ride, now in its sixth year, has become a firm favourite on the Essex Sporting calendar. The charity welcomed riders of all ages and abilities, with a choice of cycling routes to suit all capabilities; 6 miles, 15 miles, and new routes for 2019; 30 miles, 50 miles, 65 miles and 90 miles. Those enjoying the beautiful countryside routes included families with small children, seasoned road cyclists and even a family of Penny Farthing riders!
Back at The Crix, supporters were kept entertained by refreshment trucks, an ice cream van and the team from Spokes were also on-hand to offer complimentary bike repairs and advice.
BBC Essex Radio presenter Sadie Nine took part in the 6 mile route alongside husband Al, and their three doggies. Every participant received a medal and complimentary snacks kindly donated by Wilkin & Sons and Eat Natural, with water provided by The Lion Inn at Boreham. Essex Audi sponsored the event for the sixth year running and provided support vehicles for all cyclists.
Josie Cubbin, 38 from Billericay took part with her family; husband Will 38, George 6 and Arthur 3 in his very own bike trailer! Josie said “We took part in Ride for Helen as a family last year and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, so we definitely wanted to join in again! It is such a lovely friendly atmosphere and the kids love being outdoors; something as parents we will always encourage!”
Katie Miles, 33 from Great Braxted and Laura Emerson, 35 from Springfield, Chelmsford completed the 50 mile cycle ride together. Laura said “The marshalls on route were really helpful and friendly and once we got back to the Crix in Hatfield Peverel, the snacks on offer were plentiful and very welcome! We lost our Uncle to cancer last year so the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity is a cause very close to our heart.”
Katie added “We really enjoyed ourselves; this was a well organised ride all in aid of a fantastic charity.”
Maxim Willard achieved an incredible feat at Ride for Helen 2019; at only 9 years old he completed the 50 mile route! Mum Alex Willard was very proud of son Maxim; “Only two weeks ago he took part in a 65 mile ride around the Isle of Wight – this was training for Ride for Helen! I’m so pleased Maxim enjoys cycling and getting out into the great outdoors; next stop Tour de France!”
Maxim added; “When I finished cycling the 50 mile route I was very tired! But it was a huge achievement and I’m really proud of myself. It’s great to support the charity while also doing something fun at the same time.”
Marrianne Irving, 46 from Little Waltham, was one of the many Volunteers giving up their time to support the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity; “In 2010 I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and was treated at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford. The HRCC Support Centre at Rochelle House in Chelmsford helped me so much during a very scary time in my life. I received reflexology treatments and counselling from the team there and the support was invaluable to my recovery. To give something back to this incredible charity I regularly volunteer at their events – Ride for Helen is one of my favourites and I am very proud to help out on the day.”
Helen Rollason Cancer Charity CEO Kate Alden said: “What a fantastic turnout with almost 1,000 supporters attending our annual Ride for Helen raising in the region of £28,000 for the charity, with sponsorship money still flooding in!
We feel very lucky that our patron Ian Twinley, has kindly allowed us to use the beautiful grounds of The Crix in Hatfield Peverel as a starting and finishing point every year. I’d like to thank Essex Audi for the use of their vehicles as recovery cars, Wilkin & Sons for providing the medals and snacks for everyone taking part and Winfresh for donating bananas. Also Spokes Cycle Care and Repair in Chelmsford for their services and repairs and Eat Natural for donating their snack bars.
We couldn’t organise such an amazing and positive event without the help of our dedicated team of Volunteers, staff, sponsors and supporters so thank you everyone for making the day so successful.”
Click here to see the YouTube video of Ride for Helen 2019.
The Helen Rollason Cancer Charity is dedicated to championing quality of life for everyone living with or affected by Cancer through the provision of free access support centres, complementary therapies, information and advice and supporting clinical trials.
Thanks to the kind support of the people and businesses of Essex, Hertfordshire and London, we have started work to reconstruct our current Fundraising Office into a two-storey, purpose-built Cancer Support Centre, which will also encompass offices to accommodate the Fundraising and Administrative teams. This will be another huge step forward and further improve the services we offer for those living with cancer.
Featuring modern, state- of-the-art facilities, the new centre will provide complementary therapies including reflexology and aromatherapy, as well as counselling and support groups to those affected by cancer. Included in the plans are social spaces, a relaxing garden area and free parking for our clients.
