Over the last few weeks the fundraising team at Weston Hospicecare have been busy planning a new and exciting event called the ‘Strawberry Jam’. The event is a cycling event and is suitable for families and keen cyclists alike. The Hospice hopes to raise over £10,000 from the event which would pay for all the medication to keep patients pain free in the Hospice In-patient Unit for well over 12 months.
The Hospice is a lifeline for people with life-limiting illnesses all over Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding communities such as Burnham on Sea, Cheddar, Wedmore, Yatton and Congresbury. The Hospice sees 1300 patients and their carers through their doors every year and without it a lot of these people would have nowhere else to turn. The funds raised at the Strawberry Jam will contribute to the £3 million that the Hospice needs to raise every year to keep its services running – Only 20% of these costs are funded from the NHS.
One team that is getting really excited about the event is the team in ‘Cupcakes’ the new Hospice café that opened in Weston-super-Mare this summer.
Mark who heads up the team at Cupcakes says “I started working for the Hospice in the summer and I absolutely love it. I am from Weston-super-Mare and being local it has always been an organisation very close to my heart, I am very proud to now be part of it. There will be a group of us taking part in the Strawberry Jam including the volunteers that help out in the shop. We are being very ambitious and are going to have a go at the 50 mile route, we have started to get sponsorship in already and are determined to raise as much money as we can so there is no going back now!”
If you would like to take part in the event either on your own, as a family or as part of a team it takes place on Saturday 2nd October and you can choose from 3 routes.
10 Mile: The Strawberry Line - Yatton Station to Cheddar (passing through Congresbury, Sandford Winscombe and Axbridge)
25 Mile: From Cheddar to Uphill - through Cocklake, Wedmore, Blackford, Mark, Burnham on Sea, Berrow, Brean, Lympsham and Bleadon
Or for the toughest test of strength and endurance the…
50 miler which smashes through the Strawberry Line section and out into the 50 mile all out circuit! You will pass through Hutton, Locking, Banwell, Puxton, Congresbury, Wrington, Claverham.
Olly Joseph who is organising the event says “We have had amazing feedback from this event which is great as its new this year. We have been very careful to make sure that it is suitable for everyone so whether you are a family with young children or a keen road biker there is a route for you. Spaces are limited so hurry to ensure that you have your space reserved, you can pop into cupcakes to pick up your registration form and talk to the team there about the event or give me a call - I guarantee it’s going to be a fun day!”
To register for the event call the fundraising team today on 01934 423960 or visit the website www.westonhospicecare.org.uk/strawberryjam
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