Cyclists cover hundreds of miles to raise funds

Charitable cyclists used their pedal power to raise funds in memory of a loved one supported by the Hospice.

Malcolm Quantrill was joined by son Shaun Quantrill and friends Colin Rands and Stewart Double as he climbed into the saddle and completed the London to Paris Cycle Ride in memory of his wife Yvonne.

Yvonne, who passed away aged 60 after battling cancer, was supported by the charity before her death in March 2016.

Malcolm and his supporters have been fundraising for the charity ever since, and their latest donation of £8,793.28 from their two wheeled challenge has meant the total raised in Yvonne’s memory now stands at £13,057.

Malcolm said: “With this ride we wanted to once again raise some funds for St Nicholas Hospice Care whose staff were excellent in their care for Yvonne in her last days after a four year battle against firstly bowel cancer and then liver cancer.

“We also wanted to raise funds because of their genuine concern for myself and my family at this time and also over the last year.”

The team began their challenge on what would have been Malcolm and Yvonne’s wedding anniversary (Wednesday, 13 September) with their 300 mile ride taking them from Crystal Palace in south east London to the Eiffel Tower in the heart of the French capital.

From London they travelled to Dover so they could make their way to Calais, and then on to Abbeville La Belle before making their way to Beauvais, following the River Somme out of Abbeville.

The final leg of their four day journey saw them cover the 60 mile distance from Beauvais to Paris, where again they we able to admire their stunning surroundings and even have a spot of lunch by the River Seine.

They then followed the river through the suburbs until they reached Bois de Boulogne – the largest park in Paris. From there it was a short ride along the city’s famous boulevards to the finish line – the Eiffel Tower.

This ride wasn’t the first time Malcolm tested his pedal power, as last August, alongside friend Colin Rands, Malcolm completed a cycle ride from his home in Mundford to Timperley, in Manchester.

The pair’s 150-plus mile route relived a childhood journey Malcolm made 50 years earlier in 1966 when, aged 12, he travelled to visit family in Manchester with his parents in their black Ford Popular car.

As well as their cycling efforts supporters have also organised a number of fundraising events, including quizzes, cakes sales and a football match.

“The team would like to say a huge thank you to Mundford Cricket Club and Mundford Bowls Club who have allowed us to use their venue for our various events, everyone who has donated raffle prizes and also Double Quick who sponsored our cycling kit,” added Malcolm.
St Nicholas Hospice Care Events Fundraiser Charlie De-Moore said: “A huge thank you to everyone who supported Malcolm, Colin, Shaun and Stewart.

“Completing a 300 mile cycle ride certainly isn’t an easy challenge and we are so grateful for the passion they have all shown for raising funds for the hospice.

“Without fundraisers like Malcolm, Colin, Shaun and Stewart and their supporters as a charity we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.

“The money they have raised will make a big difference to the hospice and all of those in our care.”