Charity cyclists set off for the half million-pound mark along routes of up to 101km for St David’s Hospice
More than 300 cyclists took on the annual Acorn by Synergie Bike Ride this weekend and set off to raise £500,000 for one of the UK’s largest providers of hospice at home care in the process.
Riders of all ages took on routes of up to 101km for the challenge in aid of St David’s Hospice, which has raised more than £340,000 in total since it launched 12 years ago.
Now organisers of the annual five-route bike ride say their latest target for the event is to top the £500,000 mark in aid of the hospice, which cares for over 3,200 patients across Wales in Newport, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Monmouthshire, and in Mid and South Powys too.
Participants of all ages signing up to complete one of five different rides ranging from 18km to 101km in length turned out to support the hospice at this year’s event, and set the wheels in motion to hit the new target in the process.
Dave Rees is the original founder of the ride, which starts and finishes in Caerleon just outside Newport every year, and a volunteer at St David’s Hospice Care.
Dave said: “We’re absolutely delighted and truly humbled with the support shown from hundreds of riders who once more came to take part in the ride, which has come to play such a significant role in the running of the Hospice over the years since it first launched.
“Every year we get the pleasure of meeting up with families and individual riders old and new, some of whom have literally grown up taking part in ‘The Dally’ over the years it has been running, and it never ceases to amaze, or indeed move us as organisers in seeing everyone come together in aid of such a great cause.”
“Through their continued support and determination to challenge themselves year in year out, these cyclists have collectively managed to raise more than £340,000 to support patients and their families living with life-threatening illnesses in South East Wales, which is just incredible,” Dave added.
“Now we’re asking those who continue to come out and support us and make this amazing event what it is every year to help us with a new challenge we have set ourselves to hit the £500,000 mark.”
Now looking towards its 13th year, all the funds raised from the Dalmatian Bike Ride go towards the continued work of St David’s Hospice every year.
As a longtime supporter of the event, Acorn by Synergy is among those to have helped raise awareness of and participate in the ride every year since it began.
Around 15 staff members based at the UK recruiter’s head office in Newport took part in the June 8th event before joining all riders completing their chosen route at a special ‘Finish Festival’ taking place at The Priory Hotel & Restaurant in Caerleon afterwards.
Marc Jones, Director of Operations at Acorn by Synergie took part with his family and said: “It was a fantastic family day out; myself and my son really enjoyed the bike ride and celebrations after at the family festival – made even better by the fact that we were fundraising for such a worthy cause.”
Bernard Ward, Managing Director at Acorn by Synergie added: “Supporting and taking part in The Dalmatian Bike Ride has become as much of a tradition for our team here at Acorn by Synergie as it has for many of the local families and other cycling enthusiasts who return to show their support year on year too.
“It is only through this continued support, and the ongoing determination of organisers at St David’s Hospice, that patients and families affected by life-threatening conditions within Newport and the surrounding areas can continue to get the support they so rightfully need and deserve.”
“As a company and as a team we feel honoured, therefore, to be so closely associated with this incredible effort, which has come to mean so much to all those involved in it over the years, and we will do everything we can to support the Hospice in achieving its future aims too,” Bernard added.
For information on St David’s Hospice Care, please visit www.stdavidshospicecare.org.
