112 cyclists take on epic cycling challenge for local children’s hospice
112 keen cyclists from across the South West unleashed their pedal power at the weekend by completing a 205-mile cycling challenge, raising more than £320,000 for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).
The annual Ride for Precious Lives saw cyclists ride through 3 counties in just 3 days in the event which is now in its 16th year and sponsored by Edwards Vacuum.
The route started out from the charity’s Little Harbour children’s hospice in St Austell on Friday 11 July, stopped off at CHSW’s Little Bridge House hospice in Barnstaple on Saturday, and finished at Charlton Farm children’s hospice near Bristol on Sunday.
Riders who took part included employees from Luscombe Construction, PB design, Bornefit, Aggri and event sponsors Edwards Vacuum, as well as 4 members of staff from CHSW and 7 families that are supported by the charity.
Kiley Pearce, Events Fundraiser for CHSW, said:
This is a tough challenge and the extreme heat this weekend did not make it any easier for our cyclists but through true grit and determination they made it.
They have been fundraising and training for this event for months, so it is wonderful to see them crossing the finish line and to see that fundraising total at such an incredible amount.
A huge thank you has to go to Thirsty Work, Rapid Relief and our volunteers, who provided riders with water and snack stops along the entire route, ensuring they were well fuelled and hydrated for the next section which was so important in the hot conditions.
On behalf of the families our hospices support, thank you to everyone involved, what an incredible effort.
The funds raised will help hundreds of babies, children, young people and their families, across the region, who need support from their local children’s hospice.
CHSW’s 3 hospices; Little Bridge House in Barnstaple, Charlton Farm near Bristol and Little Harbour in St Austell provide vital care and support to those with life-limiting conditions. The hospice teams provide hospice days and hospice stays, end of life care as well as home visits, virtual support and bereavement support.
With the hospices’ running costs totaling more than £14 million a year, CHSW relies almost entirely on voluntary donations to ensure this care can continue being offered.
If you have been inspired by this year’s riders, registration is open now for Ride for Precious Lives 2026 which will take cyclists in the opposite direction, starting in Bristol and finishing in Cornwall. For more information or to book a place and benefit from 20% discount click here.