On the 4th - 10th October 2026 #TeamWinchesterHospice will be cycling 600km from Venice to Rome!

This October, our team will be taking on an extraordinary challenge: cycling 600km of the Italian countryside - all in support of Winchester Hospice.

The team of 12 cyclists and 3 support has been coordinated by Rob Sanderson, the President of Winchester RFC, as the Hospice has been so supportive to a number of the club Members most recently the Paterson family.

Matt Paterson was diagnosed with Stage IV appendiceal cancer in March 2024 aged 47 with 4 children aged 7-16. The palliative team at the Hospice were involved with his care from a very early stage, not just to care for Matt but help prepare Amy and the children for the road ahead.

Matt passed away at home surrounded by his family in November 2025. It was peaceful and he was surrounded by love. The Hospice provided exemplary service not just to the Patersons but for all the families that pass through their doors.

In honour of Matt it therefore seemed appropriate to say thank you to the Hospice by taking on a meaningful challenge to raise funds.

WRFC are not new to such endeavours so cycling across Italy seemed a fitting tribute to Matt.

A number of the team have participated in previous multi day cycling challenges but none consider themselves to be “proper cyclists” and with a team average age the wrong side of 60 this will be another real “test”. But a challenge isn’t a challenge unless it is one!

Your runners & riders for the “Italian Job” are:

David & Rosie Lewis

David & Christine Brill

Chrissie Donald

Mike Osborne

Tim Daniels

Adrian Lickiss

Rolf Stratford

David Barrow

Karin Fisher

Rob Sanderson

Support crew: Scott Donald, Steve Carmichael, Will Sanderson.

This epic five day challenge covers varying terrain, with multiple ascent and descents and twisting hairpin bends through the beautiful Tuscan countryside, with breath-taking views. Covering 170km in the saddle on day 1 and some “hilly” distances on days 2 and 3 this is the ultimate cycling challenge. Over five days, our team will ride over 600km to reach Rome to raise vital funds for the Hospice.

Any support great or small makes such a difference and is greatly appreciated by the whole team.

A fundraising dinner is being held at the rugby club on Friday 25th September prior to the cycle and the pre match lunch on Saturday 17th October prior to the regional league encounter with Guildford RFC will add to the fundraising efforts