42-year-old entrepreneur and Dubai resident, Ray Chan, has completed an epic challenge to raise vital funds for Sue Ryder, cycling 500 kilometres in six days along desert cycle tracks. Ray has so far raised more than £1800 for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, who cared for his mum in her final days.
Ray, who grew up in the Horsforth area of Leeds, took his global events company to Dubai in 2013 before moving there in 2018. He explained:
“In January 2023, the news came that my mum wasn’t well, so I dropped everything and travelled back to the UK to look after her.
“Mum spent her last few days in Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice. It was the first time I fully understood what a hospice does – I didn’t really know what to expect. It’s a lovely place. The staff were really kind and attentive, and respectful.
“Mum died on 12th November and the funeral was held soon afterwards. I didn’t really have time to grieve properly. When I arrived back in Dubai in December, I looked a mess. I’ve always followed a very fit and healthy lifestyle, but when Mum was deteriorating in her final six weeks, I’d dropped everything.
“I felt like I needed to reset my mind and body for the new year – and doing this challenge and remembering Mum in the process seemed like the perfect way to do it.”
Ray decided to embark on cycling brand Rapha’s Festive 500 challenge, where cycling enthusiasts from around the world ride 500km in eight days, between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Ray continued:
“I made my first day the hardest day. I did 135km on cycle tracks through the desert, setting out at 5.30am. You have to get out early and stay hydrated. It was tough. Especially the last 15km – I was broken.
“All in all, I think it took me 30 hours on the bike over six days to complete the 500km distance.
“I felt amazing afterwards. It was a nice way to finish the year and flush out all the demons. Doing the challenge gave me time to reflect and process the trauma and stress of the past few months.”
Ray reflected on how his mum would have reacted to his fundraising challenge. “She’d have laughed and called me crazy for cycling all that way in the desert under the sun. She’d probably ask if I was wearing suntan lotion! But I’m sure she’d be very proud.”
Ray concluded: “Sport and fitness is a narrative that runs through my life. I wouldn’t rule out doing the challenge for Sue Ryder again. Life’s all about taking yourself out of your comfort zone.”
Clare Humphreys, Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice said: “We’re so grateful to Ray for taking on this epic challenge and for raising such an impressive amount. The money raised will ensure that we can keep providing vital and compassionate care to those who need it.”
For more information about Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, visit: sueryder.org/wheatfields
To find out more about fundraising for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, including joining or setting up a fundraising group contact wheatfields.fundraising@sueryder.org
You can support Ray by making a donation here on his online JustGiving page.
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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.
About Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice
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 specialist support for anyone living with a life-limiting illness or grief.
Dying and grief are universal experiences, but too many people face them alone. Here at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice located in Headingley we provide a safe and reassuring hand for the people of Leeds to reach for.
From giving specialist 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 in a way that is right for them. 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 and work inclusively with our diverse community in and around Leeds.
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