A charity bike ride will take place later this month to raise money for a Specialist Palliative Care Unit, with support from the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.
A group of 23 friends and colleagues from St Helen’s in Merseyside, a mix of experienced and unexperienced riders, are aiming to complete the 100-mile round trip to raise money for Willowbrook Hospice in the North West.
The bike ride, which will take place over the weekend of 22nd – 24th June, is in memory of Gina Wilson, the wife of one of the cyclists Jeff Wilson, who sadly lost her battle with breast cancer in 2017 and spent her last days being cared for at Willowbrook.
The group will make the journey from their home town of St Helens to Pier Head, Liverpool, sail to the Isle of Man on fast craft Manannan, cycle 80 miles around the Island, sail back to Liverpool and make the final stretch of the journey back home.
The Steam Packet Company is offering its support by assisting with the cost of travel to and from the Island.
Jeff Wilson said: ‘Willowbrook Hospice were amazing at an incredibly difficult and emotional time in our lives. The support offered to my family and the care provided to my wife made it just that little bit easier, and I will be forever grateful. Because of this I wanted to do something to raise money for Willowbrook, which relies almost entirely on fundraising efforts and donations, so it can continue to care for others as they cared for Gina.
‘I have been truly touched by my friends and colleagues who have been an incredible support circle over the past 12 months. None of us are professional cyclists so 80 miles in one day will be gruelling, but we are excited for the challenge.
‘I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company and their generous support of our trip.’
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘We are delighted to support Jeff and his colleagues on this demanding bike ride and I wish them the very best of luck. It is a fantastic cause and I hope they raise lots of money so the Hospice can continue to make a difference to the lives of families in the North West.’
To find out more about the charity bike ride and to donate, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jeff-wilson5.
