Farleigh Hospice’s annual Cycle for Life bike ride saw 301 cyclists of all ages take to the roads on Sunday 6 September, raising over £20,000 to support the charity’s care across mid Essex.
Starting and finishing at the hospice in Broomfield, Chelmsford, participants chose from scenic 20km, 50km or 100km routes through the beautiful Essex countryside. The sun shone as families, friends and solo riders pedalled in support of the services Farleigh Hospice provides to the local community.
Among the riders was Chris Lovitt, who completed the 100km route with his dog, Ruby. He said, “It was our first Cycle for Life and it was fantastic – a great route that was really well-organised. We’re raised £130 for Farleigh Hospice which is an important, much-needed, local charity that provides excellent care.”
Farleigh provides compassionate specialist care to adults with life-limiting conditions and their families plus bereavement support to adults and children across mid Essex, including in Maldon and the Dengie peninsula, Braintree, Chelmsford, Halstead and Witham. The charity makes no charge for any of these services and relies on money raised at fundraising events like Cycle for Life.
Many people took part in memory of loved ones that Farleigh has cared for.
Ian Perry cycled 20km with his daughter, Lisa Perry, and 8-year-old granddaughter, Ellie Etherington. He said, “Farleigh Hospice looked after my mum, Eileen Perry, at home, where she wanted to be, in her final weeks. It was a very friendly team who were there when we needed them and were so helpful. Their support meant a lot to us.
“We felt emotional at times along the route and it felt special to finish at the hospice. We have raised about £200 for Farleigh.”
Farleigh Hospice is very grateful to everyone who took part, sponsored the cyclists and volunteered at Cycle for Life.
Sarah Millerick, Fundraising Lead at Farleigh, said, “It was fantastic to see so many cyclists showing their support for Farleigh and making our annual bike ride such a big success. Thank you to everyone who has pedalled, made a donation or given their time at this event – you have helped to raise over £20,000.
“Farleigh Hospice is a charity that could not exist without this much-needed local support. In the last financial year, we cared for 1,944 patients in the community and 256 patients in the Inpatient Unit at our hospice. We also received 850 referrals to our bereavement services.
“This money will help us to continue to be here for the local families who rely on our care now and in the future.”
For more information on Farleigh Hospice, its fundraising events and how to donate to this charity, go to www.farleighhospice.org .
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Farleigh Hospice provides specialist palliative and end of life care to adults with a life-limiting illness and their families and carers, across mid Essex, including in Maldon and the Dengie peninsula, Braintree, Chelmsford, Halstead and Witham.
This care includes nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, counselling and family support, both in their homes and in its Inpatient Unit at its hospice in Broomfield, Chelmsford.
Farleigh cares for adults living with any life-limiting illness including cancer, heart disease and chronic pulmonary disease, multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease.
Farleigh also offers information and support to bereaved children and adults.
It makes no charge for any of these much-needed services.
In the 2024/25 financial year, Farleigh Hospice:
- received 23,360 calls to its Clinical Advice Line
- cared for 1,944 patients in the community
- cared for 256 patients in its Inpatient Unit at its hospice in Broomfield, Chelmsford
- provided specialist counselling to 454 adults and 197 young people
- received 850 referrals to its bereavement services.
It costs over £21,270 every day for Farleigh Hospice to provide its services.
Farleigh Hospice is a charity and relies on the kind support of the local community to help fund its care through appeal donations, gifts in wills and money raised from fundraising activities.
You can donate now by visiting www.farleighhospice.org .
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