Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

We set up this page in loving memory of our mum / Grandmother Pat Thomas who died peaceful in St Richard's hospice after a short battle against cancer of the oesophagus. Like many hospices St Richard's relies on donations to fund the care and services that it provides. The care and quality of service that our mother and our family received was nothing short of outstanding. They gave our mum a dignified and as comfortable as possible end to her life from what was a horrid way to die. We owe so much to the hospice as it helped us immeasurably to watch our mum pass away.

In choosing a fund raising event we wanted to find a challenge that would be demanding, and stretching, and that we could do as a family. As novices to cycling we felt that the London to Paris cycle challenge was an ideal opportunity embodying many of the values the we experienced with St Richard's hospice of togetherness and unity and would enable us to give something back to the hospice that gave us so much.

The challenge starts at 7am on Wednesday 19th July with an 86 mile ride through Kent to Dover where we will catch the Calais ferry. On Thursday we will cycle some 80 miles through charming villages and quiet country lanes to Arras. Continuing on Friday to Compeigne past WW1 cemeteries in the Somme area, covering around 76 miles. Day 4 Saturday, starts with a 68 mile ride to Paris, weary and saddle sore we will complete our challenge befittingly with a cycle ride up the famous Champs-Elysees around the Arc de Triomphe finishing at the Champs de Mars overlooking the Eiffle Tower. Fortunately it is a Eurostar back home on Sunday.

As a hospice we found that St Richard's always put the patients needs and welfare at the forefront of everything they do. This was extended to the family and friends of the patient who were always made to feel very welcome, they even allowed mums 2 dogs to visit her, which really meant a lot to her. In her final days the hospice did all they could to make our time with mum the best it could be.

Team Thomas is made up of Pat's 2 sons Paul and Philip, her daughter in Law Juliet and 20 year old Grandson Oliver

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