Two colleagues who set out to cycle 100 miles in one day across the East Midlands and raise money for the National Rehabilitation Centre have successfully smashed both targets despite taking on the challenge in the middle of a heatwave.
Robyn Wiles and Holly Clarke, Advanced Clinical Practitioners at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) and physiotherapists by background, set out to raise £1,500 for Nottingham Hospitals Charity to help fund suitable storage for adaptive hand-cycles and trikes being gifted to the NRC, but have already topped £2,100.
The pair set off from the NRC and made their way through Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, before returning to finish at the NRC, covering a total of 103 miles in seven hours and 18 minutes.
The NRC is the first of its kind – a 70-bed, state-of-the-art specialist rehabilitation centre for NHS patients who have experienced a life-changing illness or injury. The brand-new facility is co-located with the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) on the Stanford Hall Rehabilitation Estate (SHRE) near Loughborough.
Both colleagues explained that the cycle challenge went as smoothly as they could have hoped for, but most of all they were blown away by the generosity shown towards their target.
Holly explained: “The whole experience was great. We started early at about 6.30am so it was cooler and the roads were quiet throughout Leicester and Loughborough. Therefore we had a flying start and kept up a really good pace throughout with no crashes, no falls and no injuries.
“There were a few times when it was really hot, but it didn’t impede us too much.
“With good company, fair weather, lots of snacks, and some people on the route to cheer us on, we did it!”
Robyn said: “We’d like to say a massive thank you for everyone’s generosity, words of support, and interest in our challenge. It was unexpected to have that level of support.
“We’re looking forward to going shed-shopping for the NRC, and maybe we’ll do Coast to Coast next…”
There is still time to donate to Holly and Robyn's challenge via their Justgiving page.
Donate now