Challenge in nan's memory

Lee Pegg will be joined by long-term friends Dan Herridge and Joseph Ash for the Rennie Grove Hospice Care’s Chilterns Cycle Challenge on Sunday, March 20, which starts and finishes in Aylesbury.

The trio, who have called themselves The Helmet Brigade, will be cycling as a memorial to Lee’s nan Mary Mcguinness who died in 2014 and was cared for at the hospice.

Lee said: “I saw first-hand what amazing work the Rennie Grove Hospice at Home nurses provided. In that end-of-life situation, they were a Godsend to us.

“It was a truly terrible time, but the Rennie Grove nurses advised and comforted throughout and we will never forget. I’m not the fittest but I enjoy pushing myself and doing something I wouldn’t normally do but I want to raise as much money as I can to keep wonderful services like Rennie Grove going to help other people in the situation I found myself. The support and professionalism I experienced was outstanding.”

The trio hope to raise around £500 and have set up a Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/The-helmet-brigade/

The Chilterns Cycle Challenge has 10k, 35-mile or 75-mile routes to choose from to suit all abilities.

Gillian Barnett, director of fundraising and marketing at Rennie Grove Hospice Care, said: “It is lovely to hear that the work our nurses do inspires people to take part in our challenges to help raise funds for the charity.

“We are hoping the 2016 Chilterns Cycle Challenge will prove even more popular than previous years, so don’t delay; sign up now to guarantee your place.”

The 2015 Chilterns Cycle Challenge attracted more than 500 participants and raised around £30,000 for the charity’s nursing and support services for local patients with cancer and other life-limiting illness. £32,000 funds one of the charity’s specialist hospice at home nurses for a year.

The 10k route costs £17, £20 for 35 miles and £30 for the 75 mile option, £45 if not raising sponsorship. Child entry is £10 (for 10k route only) and under 5s are free. The entry fee includes a medal, St John Ambulance cover, mechanical support on the day and full route signage and marshalling with water along the way.

For further information and to register, please go to www.renniegrove.org/chilternscycle or call 01442 820740.