NINE in NINE Challenge!
Wakefield Triathlon Club is raising money for Wakefield Hospice
Story
Nine Days. Nine Countries. 900 Miles…
They say that age is just a number – well this May we are certainly going to put that theory to the test!
On Thursday 22nd May, seven Wakefield cyclists will be departing from Wakefield Hospice, heading across nine European countries in the space of just nine days.
And as if cycling through England, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy wasn’t enough of a monumental challenge in itself –when we look at the line-up of our riders, the scale of the challenge is laid bare for all to see.
One member of our team has had a recent brush with cancer; one receives regular injections for a damaged knee; one is on pills for a prostrate problem; and more than one has, let’s say, “a bit of timber to shift” before the challenge even starts!
As one of our riders Adam Foster pointed out “All ailments aside, we’ve also got 30,000 feet of hills to get over. Couldn’t we have gone round them? I’m not sure my knees will make it!”
The whole challenge has been put together to raise much needed funds for Wakefield Hospice; with the team being supported across the nine days by Helen Knowles, Wakefield Hospice’s Director of Income Generation (or so she is until her well-earned retirement at the end of March this year). Funds raised will help to renovate one of the bedrooms at Wakefield Hospice, upgrading the facilities to make them fit for future generations.
Helen: “I’m simply in awe of these riders. Two of them are in their seventh decade (in fact, they’re well into that decade) and I know they won’t mind me saying, the others look like they had tough paper-rounds!
“To take on such a mammoth of a challenge is testament to the incredible passion and commitment each of these riders has to supporting local hospice care – I have had the privilege of seeing first-hand the difference Wakefield Hospice makes to patients and families for over 30 years, a difference which is only possible thanks to incredible people like these.”
And across the 900-mile challenge, what is it that the team fear most? Wind? Rain? Hills? Chaffing and pressure sores?
“All of the above” says Graham Ward-Thompson one of the riders “but perhaps the biggest challenge will be riding with a Belgian for nine days… he has an interesting sense of humour to say the least!”
If you are able to, please consider supporting our challenge – your donations and words of encouragement will be just the tonic we need to get us through (alternative tonics will also be much welcomed come day nine!)
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Wakefield Hospice provides vital care services to local patients living with life-limiting conditions and their families across the Wakefield district. To find out more about the services provided please visit www.wakefieldhospice.org