Dalmatian Bike Ride 2024 Raises Over £50,000 with Inspiring Support from Team Nic

The Dalmatian Bike Ride 2024 has successfully raised over £51,543 in aid of St David’s Hospice, with significant contributions from Team Nic, a group fundraising in memory of beloved Newport teacher Nichala Gallivan.

Nichala, a dedicated English and Film Studies teacher at Katharine Lady Berkeley School in Gloucestershire, passed away in March 2024 following a battle with breast cancer. In her honour, Team Nic, comprised of her family and friends, contributed over £14,321.92 to the bike ride’s fundraising total. Their collective efforts across various events have resulted in a remarkable £25,506 raised for St David’s Hospice Care.

A Community United in Memory of Nichala

Team Nic includes Nichala’s husband Arran, mother Heather, sister Rachael, brother Mark, sister-in-law Vikki, stepfather Phil, cousin Andrew, uncles Robin and Clive, brother-in-law Adam, and friends Nicola and Ryan. Their fundraising efforts extended beyond the bike ride, with standout initiatives such as Heather Larcombe Watkins wearing a different festive jumper every day throughout December, and Arran Gallivan organizing bucket collections at Wren’s Bakery and Tata Steel in Newport.

Additionally, Nichala’s brother Mark and his partner Vikki are training for their first half marathon, the City of Newport’s annual event on March 2nd, further continuing the family’s commitment to supporting St David’s Hospice Care.

Honouring a Legacy and Supporting Vital Hospice Services

Reflecting on the loss of his wife and their journey as a family, Arran Gallivan shared, “Life without Nichala has undoubtedly been the hardest challenge we’ve ever faced. But finding comfort in the knowledge that Team Nic is united in honouring her legacy, while supporting the incredible team at St. David’s Hospice and the Unicorn Service, brings us some peace. We are committed to doing everything in our power to ensure this invaluable service remains available to support our local community and help families through their most difficult moments.”

Kris Broome, Director of Fundraising and Lottery at St David’s Hospice, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support, stating, “We as a Hospice are indebted to the local community for their continued support. Such dedicated and unwavering efforts in memory of Nichala exemplify the huge impact that can be made. In a short space of time, a phenomenal amount has been raised that will make a far-reaching, long-lasting difference to St David’s Hospice Care. We are extremely grateful and look forward to continuing this journey with Team Nic in 2025.”

Corporate and Community Support Driving Change

The Dalmatian Bike Ride, now in its 13th year, has collectively raised £400,000 for St David’s Hospice Care. In June 2024, over 300 cyclists took on five challenging routes, spanning up to 101km, to generate vital funds and awareness for the hospice, which provides care to more than 3,200 patients across Wales in Newport, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Monmouthshire, and Mid and South Powys.

Acorn by Synergie, the event’s main sponsor, continues to champion community-driven efforts. Bernard Ward, Managing Director at Acorn by Synergie, commended the remarkable fundraising achievements, noting, “The incredible fundraising total is a testament to the drive and passion of Team Nic and the local community. We are proud to support this kind of community spirit and determination, and we will continue to do so.”

Beyond its sponsorship of events like the Dalmatian Bike Ride, Acorn by Synergie is dedicated to fostering positive social, economic, and environmental impacts in the communities it serves across the UK through its newly launched Acorn Impact initiative.

How to Get Involved

Those interested in joining future Dalmatian Bike Ride events can sign up as individuals, families, or groups by visiting www.dalmatianbikeride.com. Further details about St David’s Hospice Care and its services can be found at www.stdavidshospicecare.org.

For more information on Acorn by Synergie and its ongoing community initiatives, visit www.acornpeople.com.