Three friends have cycled across the country in less than 24 hours to raise more than £3,000 for the children’s hospice of Essex.
Jacob Chambers, 27 from South Benfleet, Brad Adams, 32 from South Woodham Ferrers and Barry Gray, 31 from Great Baddow, took to their bikes to pedal from Aberystwyth Pier in Wales to Southend Pier on 26th June. It took them just 22 hours and 34 minutes, riding through the night with five refuel stops along the route.
Jacob says, “We went through a lot of tough Welsh terrain and big climbs, including riding through the Brecon Beacons. We then went through Gloucestershire and into the Cotswolds which again was tough, especially during the night.
“We headed into Oxford as the sun was coming up, then over north London where our last re-fuel stop was in Theydon Bois. From there it was 40 miles to the end so we gave it everything we had to get to Southend Pier as fast as possible, even though we knew we were well within the time limit we set of 24 hours!
“My Dad, John Chambers and friend Charlie were our ‘support team,’ ready with all our supplies of food, drinks, bike spares and clothing. We stopped for a maximum of 30 minutes, just to refill our pockets with food, top up our bottles and fix any repairs.
So the whole ride was done in one hit, no sleep and no real prolonged rest.
“We chose Little Havens as Barry and I had previously raised money for the charity doing our ‘Everesting’ challenge. Knowing the charity well after that event, and knowing what a great job they do caring for families, in our eyes we couldn’t do it for any other charity. Especially throughout everything that’s happened this past year, we still desperately need charities like these to continue to do the great work they do.”
Lauren Eagle-Allen is a Fundraiser for Little Havens. She says, “We are all so in awe of Jacob, Brad and Barry. To commit to such a gruelling challenge really shows us how much they care and understand how important Little Havens is to local families across Essex. Our specialist care is completely free, but only thanks to the donations and sponsorship from fundraisers like this.”
Little Havens needs to raise £46,000 each week to ensure it can care for local children with complex or incurable conditions, either in the hospice or within the family home.
Published 1st July 2021
