On Saturday 14 May, I joined a team of 10 cyclists (see photograph above) in a 35 mile
sponsored ride through the Chilterns and along the Grand Union Canal starting and finishing
at “The Windmill”, to raise funds for Iain Rennie Hospice at Home. Iain Rennie nurses gave
great comfort to Beverley and all the family, in the last stages of her life after a long
battle with cancer and it was a real pleasure to be able to do something in return.
We were fortunate with the weather and all returned in one piece despite my unplanned
“dismount” while speeding down one of the more challenging bridle paths into Tring! Thanks
to all those who contributed so generously to the cause and everyone who took part,
especially to Tony Wheeler for coming up with the idea and putting so much energy into
planning and organising the event. We were also particularly grateful for the support of
Dave and Dawn at “The Windmill” for supporting the event, seeing us off with breakfast and
providing a well earned lunch on our return. It looks as though the total raised will be
about £5,000.
Three of Beverley’s intrepid friends added their efforts to the cause by taking part in a
sponsored free fall parachute jump. Rosalind Wheeler, Liz Johnson and Wendy Marchant threw
themselves out of an aircraft on Sunday 5 June to raise another £1,500 or so for Iain
Rennie as part of its 20th anniversary programme of events. A group of supporters joined
them at Bicester on a grey Sunday morning to give them support, and make sure they didn’t
think better of their brave decision at the last moment!! We needn’t have worried. Where
were all the male volunteers? The gauntlet has certainly been thrown down.
David Hudson