More than £7,000 has been raised for the hospice which cared for a keen cyclist before he died.
Keith Stoneham, from Fernhill Heath, had cancer and was cared for by the St Richard’s Hospice community team before he died in 2017 aged 48.
Earlier this year, Stuart Summers and Ian Smith (pictured left) – of the city’s Elgar Cycles and Worcester Cycle Centre – decided to take on the tough London to Paris cycling challenge in memory of Mr Stoneham, who was a regular customer.
The ride saw Mr Smith cycle 342 miles from capital to capital in temperatures reaching 42C – while Mr Summers was unable to join, following injury in a cycling accident before the challenge.
“It is a great pleasure to have raised so much money for such a great cause,” said Mr Summers.
“I only hear outstanding reports about the care given by St Richard’s Hospice and going forward this will be my chosen charity due to this!”
Keith Stoneham
The grand total for the duo’s fundraising has now been revealed – with a donation of £4,000 from Helen Stoneham, raised from the sale of her husband’s bikes at Worcester Cycle Centre.
“We would like to thank Helen for supporting the effort in donating £4,000 from the sales of Keith’s bikes,” continued Mr Summers.
“We would also like to thank friends, family and customers of both shops for their generous support.”
Mrs Stoneham explained: “A nurse visited on a weekly basis and her support was fantastic for both of us.
Ian Smith, Jodi Brandwood and Stuart Summers
“Together with the hospice’s community consultant, she was able to get Keith’s pain relief under control and she really made a huge difference to how we coped with his terminal diagnosis.
“Keith particularly found her great to talk to. It’s hard for me to put into words what a great help she was.”
Alongside the care provided to people at home through its Community Nursing Team and Hospice at Home services, St Richard’s Hospice also supports patients and loved ones at its site in Wildwood Drive, Worcester.
To find out more about the hospice’s community support, visit strichards.org.uk/care-in-your-community