Cyclists raise over £5,300 for local charity
A determined team of local people have raised an impressive £5,357 so far, after cycling the length of the country for Exeter-based charity Rainbow Living.
Over 11 days, the team spent an average of 8 hours in the saddle every day as they cycled from John O’Groats to Land’s End; overall they covered 950 miles and climbed over 51,000 feet – and burnt more than 38,000 calories!
The group braved torrential rain and lashing winds; herds of cows, flocks of sheep, punctures, saddle sores and overall tiredness may have slowed them down but they were not deterred during their epic journey.
The event was inspired by Curly Wright, a 69 year old pensioner, who himself did this journey some years ago in support of another charity. The team included Shirley French, 70, a retired senior nurse who is in remission from cancer, former Devon and Cornwall Police Officer Terry Windeatt, 70, Dr James Haytor, who works at the Cheriton Bishop and Christow surgeries, Dick Scagell, 63, chairman of Brixham Town FC, Tony Pinniger, a Rainbow Living Board member, businesswoman Trudy Loveday, Ieuan Lovett, a website builder, and Christine Browse, a former care worker who has seen firsthand how much independent supported living can change lives.
These intrepid cyclists were raising funds for local charity Rainbow Living’s current project – a fourth Rainbow House in Exeter. Rainbow Living is a volunteer-run charity which already has three Rainbow Houses, two in Exeter and one in Torquay; Rainbow House Four is part of the charity’s expansion plans to be able to support more young adults locally, and will be home to a group of young adults with learning and other disabilities.
Cyclist Tony Pinniger said: “This has been a real physical challenge, and I think each and every one of us experienced some huge highs and admittedly some lows! However it was such an amazing feeling when we reached Land’s End and saw our families waving and cheering, and we are all so thrilled to have raised such a great amount to help Rainbow Living achieve their fourth Rainbow House. On behalf of all the cyclists, I’d like to say thank you to everyone who has made a donation and also to those who supported us during the ride, we really couldn’t have done it without such fantastic support.”
Ruth Airdrie from Rainbow Living said: “Really massive congratulations to each and every one of these cyclists for completing this epic cycle – it is a truly amazing achievement! We are very grateful to all of them for the time, effort and dedication they have shown, and for the outstanding amount they have raised, every single penny of which will go towards our fourth Rainbow House and which will make a long and lasting difference to the lives of our future tenants.”
You can make a donation to the Rainbow Quest team here http://bit.ly/RainbowQuest
The Rainbow Quest team will be celebrating their achievements with a Coming Home Party on the 7th October – you can buy tickets for the event here http://bit.ly/HomeComingParty
