Peterborough father and son, Paul and John Robinson, have successfully completed a 150-mile cycling challenge from Peterborough to Maldon, Essex, raising £500 for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice and honouring the memory of Paul’s late parents.
The two-day ride, dubbed “TOWIE on Two Wheels,” took them through the Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, and Essex countryside, ending with an emotional finish on Maldon’s promenade.
Paul explained: “The cycle ride began as a tradition in 2020 when restrictions eased after the 1st lockdown – originally as a way to visit my parents in Witham.
“Now, it’s a way to honour them and give back to the hospice that means so much to me and my family.
“As we travelled around Essex, I found myself retelling stories from my own childhood, which added another layer of meaning to the journey. I couldn’t help but think of Mum and Dad throughout,” Paul said. “They would’ve loved hearing all about the ride.”
John, just 12, approached the challenge with energy and perseverance, riding 75 miles each day.
“He enjoyed the first day more – familiar roads and places he’d seen before,” Paul explained. “The second day was all new territory, but aside from a few saddle tweaks, he never complained, even when faced with Market Hill in Maldon!”
Paul’s brother-in-law, John, was cared for by Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in 2009 after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour. Reflecting on the experience, Paul said: “The support we received made such a difference. The hospice didn’t just care for John – it cared for the whole family.
“This ride was our way of giving back – to say thank you, and to help ensure others receive the same compassion and care we did.
“There’s always a moment of reflection after something like this,” he said. “John’s asked if we can take on something tougher next year – so the planning has already begun for next year’s adventure.”
To support Paul’s fundraising, visit Paul Robinson is fundraising for Sue Ryder.
Learn more about Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice at www.sueryder.org/thorpehall
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About Sue Ryder:
At Sue Ryder, we can’t make life’s most difficult moments easy, but we can carry some of the load. For more than 70 years, we have been a source of strength and support for anyone living with a life-limiting illness or grief.
Dying and grief are universal experiences, but too many people face them alone. We are a safe and reassuring hand you can reach for. From providing care and support for someone at the end of their life to helping someone manage their grief, we know there is no one size fits all when it comes to how we cope and the help we need. We campaign for everyone who is approaching the end of their life or grieving to have access to the right support, at the right time. And we seek to break down the barriers to talking about dying and grief – so we can all be better prepared and better equipped to be there for each other.
We can make a positive difference during even the darkest of times. Whether in the last months, weeks or days of life, or living with grief, we help people live the best life they possibly can. We are there when it matters.
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