Dedicated supporters of St Richard’s are strapping on their cycle helmets to raise money for hospice care.
The Thomas family are taking part in a London to Paris Bike Ride starting this week, in aid of St Richard’s Hospice.
The Worcestershire hospice cared for Paul and Philip Thomas’ mother, Pat Thomas, who lived in Malvern before her death of cancer of the oesophagus at the age of 74. Paul and Philip are taking part in the event along with Mrs Juliet Thomas, Pat’s daughter in law, and Oliver Thomas, Pat’s grandson.
Paul, from Hertfordshire, said: “The care and quality of service that our mother and our family received was nothing short of outstanding. They gave our mum a dignified and as comfortable as possible end to her life. We owe so much to the hospice as it helped us immeasurably to watch our mum pass away. We found that St Richard’s always put the patients’ needs and welfare at the forefront of everything they do. They even allowed Mum’s two dogs to visit her, which really meant a lot to her.”
The team has almost reached their £3,000 fundraising target. Philip, who lives in Bath, explained: “We wanted to find a challenge that would be demanding, and stretching, and that we could do as a family. As novices to cycling we felt that the London to Paris cycle challenge was an ideal opportunity embodying many of the values that we experienced with St Richard’s Hospice of togetherness and unity and would enable us to give something back to the hospice that gave us so much.”
Jodi Brandwood, St Richard’s Fundraiser said, “We are very grateful to the Thomas family for taking on such an exciting challenge to support hospice care. It’s sure to be a memorable experience and a wonderful way of pulling together to challenge themselves for a cause so close to their hearts. We wish them bon voyage!”
The four-day cycle event starts on Wednesday 19th July, and sees hundreds of participants ride the 300 miles from London to the French capital, Paris.
After the challenge is completed the team get to watch the final of the Tour de France, cycling the same route they did only the day before.
To donate to Team Thomas visit their Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/paul-thomas79.
For more information and to register for next year’s London to Paris Bike Ride and cycle in aid of St Richard’s visit our website. There is a reduced registration fee available until midnight on Sunday 23rd July. For more information click here: https://www.strichards.org.uk/event/london-to-paris-2018/
St Richard’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative care for patients living with life-limiting illnesses and supports their loved ones. Each year the hospice team supports more than 3,000 patients, family members and bereaved in Worcestershire.
The hospice strives to provide the best medical, practical, emotional and social support they can to help people live life to the fullest, as independently as they can, for as long as they can.
St Richard’s is an independent charity and is grateful for all donations to help it continue its work.