Wiltshire residents Sue Wharmby and Felicity Maton recently embarked on a cycling challenge to raise funds and awareness for the charity Cure Parkinson’s. Sue and Felicity teamed up with family and friends Nick Wharmby, Andy Wharmby, Simon Reichwald and Mike Lewis for the challenge, with the team setting off from Westmancote in Gloucestershire on 2 September before arriving the following day at Fyfield in Essex.
Sue, Felicity and the team meticulously planned the challenge, with their chosen route taking them over the rolling hills and down the winding lanes of the Cotswolds and Chilterns, followed by the cycle paths and quiet back roads between Buckingham and Essex. Although the challenge was tough at times, the team supported each other every step of the way. Sue said:
“It was a long and hilly route that took lots of planning, but we are a close group so there was masses of chat along the way. We also had a fab send off in Gloucestershire (bacon butties all round) and a great welcome in Essex (scones and champagne)!”
The team also had support from friends, family and even strangers en route, with passers by declaring their support for the team’s cause as they sped by. Sue said of the challenge:
“It was great fun! We had lots of support from people along the way, pedestrians cheering us on and motorists tooting. One runner yelled her support as we rode by, sharing that her mum had lived with Parkinson's.
“Highs included being joined by relatives on bikes for short stretches, the many friends that came out to shared lunch with us in Warwickshire, and the fact that – remarkably – we didn’t have a single puncture! We did have a bike mechanic (and a doctor) in our team though, so we were well prepared.”
The group decided to take on this challenge for Cure Parkinson’s as, of the six participants, two have a family member living with the condition so the cause is close to all of their hearts. Felicity said:
“We wanted to help raise some funds but also to help spread the word about the signs and symptoms of Parkinson's.”
The amazing team have raised over £6k so far for Cure Parkinson’s – an incredible achievement – with Cure Parkinson’s CEO Helen Matthews congratulating them:
“Fundraising support is absolutely critical for the charity to enable us to achieve our goal. We aim to cure Parkinson’s and the only way we will do this is through the help of all our incredible supporters - it’s as simple as that!”
If you would like to donate to Sue and Felicity’s Gloucestershire to Essex cycle challenge please head to: https://www.justgiving.com/page/sue-wharmby-1689887708841
