A member of staff at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals has raised more than £700 for his local NHS by taking on a 100-mile bike ride of Lancashire and Cheshire.
Richard Hogger, Assistant Finance Director at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, originally took one of the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity places in Ride London, which was due to happen in August. Due to the pandemic the event was cancelled, but later re-launched as a virtual My Ride London 2020. This enabled participants to still take part in their personal challenge - in Richard’s case 100 miles - and raise funds for their chosen charity.
Richard said:
“I completed the first Ride London way back in 2013, and I wanted to attempt it again to prove that, now I was older and wiser, I was still able to complete the 100 mile distance! When our hospitals’ charity offered me a place on this year’s ride, I jumped at the chance, as not only could I undertake the challenge, but I could use the opportunity to support the hospital and our staff.
“Since accepting my place, the pandemic hit and understandably the event was cancelled. I then heard that the event was being organised as a virtual ride where I could undertake the ride on roads local to me but still benefit from the support of the charity and Ride London when it came to raising funds. On Saturday 15th August, I set out bright and early on a carefully planned route around parts of Lancashire and Cheshire in order to complete my 100 miles. With support from my wife meeting me in various locations to feed me energy bars and drinks, I made it round the route in a little under 7 hours! My friends and colleagues have been very generous and through their donations I have been able to raise in excess of £700 for the charity, which I am sure they will put to good use.”
Roya Armstrong, Fundraising Coordinator at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“Richard has raised an incredible amount by taking on the virtual My Ride London challenge, all of us at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity are so grateful to him! It is really special when our own colleagues decide to show their support for the charity, and Richard has really gone the extra mile – literally! The money he has raised will go towards improving staff facilities and patient experience in our hospitals, something we are extremely passionate about. Thank you, Richard!”
To find out more about My Ride London, visit https://myridelondon.co.uk/
