Super cyclists raise over £2000 for Children North East

Super cyclists, Sophie and Will Stephenson, have raised more than £2000 to help the region’s babies, children and young people after a 12-hour static bike ride on their front driveway!

The Stephensons decided on 12 hours because that’s the length of a standard NHS ward shift. Sophie is a manager with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust and Will, a commercial director with Blyth-based Enshare. They took it in turns to ride the road bike, which was attached to a turbo trainer – one hour on, one hour off.

In between cycling stints, the parents of Hattie, three and Freddie, one, kept their children entertained.

Sophie said she and Will had been overwhelmed by people’s response to their challenge. The family live in Heaton on the edge of Jesmond Dene. “We made a sign with the kids and we had a donations bucket. People walking up from Jesmond Dene gave us donations on top of those from family, friends and colleagues who donated very generously on our JustGiving page.

“People stopped for a chat which was lovely and the last hour I was on the bike, our neighbours came out and cheered!”

The bike’s computer broke at some stage during the ride so their distances are an estimate but Will probably did around 180km whilst Sophie reckons to have done around 100.

“It was really nice to remember how much we both like riding the bike and when we can, it will be great to all get out together with Hattie and Freddie too,” Sophie said.

 

Would you like to fundraise to help the region’s children and their families? At this time more than ever, they need our help. Why not visit our fundraising ideas page for some inspiration.