St. Michael’s Hospice (North Hampshire) Big Wheel 25
Sunday 23rd July 2017, Down Grange Sports Complex, Basingstoke, RG22 5SN
St. Michael’s Hospice (North Hampshire) has opened registration for the 25th Big Wheel event taking place on Sunday 23rd July 2017 at 9.00hrs. Riders will spend a glorious summer’s day riding through the beautiful countryside of North Hampshire to raise funds for North Hampshire’s only adult Hospice.
Last year over 1,000 cyclists enjoyed a variety of routes and we are anticipating a record turnout this year. The very popular Advanced Level 65 miles is back for a second year and, to celebrate the Hospice’s 25th Anniversary, there will be an Intermediate 25 mile route. And with a Challenger 39, a Beginner 15 and the Family 5 mile routes there is something for everyone.
Those not ready to take on 5 miles yet, will be able to enjoy the Little Wheel event which takes place on the grass at Down Grange Sports Complex where all entrants will start and finish and everyone can enjoy a cold drink and hot food. All finishers, from age 2 to 72, will get a lovely medal to commemorate their efforts.
Big Wheel is a true family event and a great way to spend time together outdoors raising money for St. Michael’s Hospice, who provide specialist care and support to patients suffering from life limiting illnesses.
Prices start from £8 and full details are available on our website. To save time, avoid long queues and get the discounted entry price, we advise you to register beforehand. However, you can also register on the day and these prices will be between £2 and £5 more.
Chris Griffiths, Marketing and Events Manager; ‘Big Wheel is our biggest Hospice led fundraising event for 2017 and attracts both families and experienced riders. We are lucky to have an incredible venue at Down Grange and stunning countryside for the riders to cycle through. This year we hope to see as many people as possible taking part and have our best year yet. We rely on the support of the local community to make this event the success it is.’
We have been lucky enough to get some wonderful local companies to sponsor the event this year. A big thank you to unum, Clarke & Son Solicitiors, Greenhouse Graphics, HCT Creative and JackFM.
At St. Michael’s Hospice we care for local people with life-limiting illnesses through our In-Patient Unit, Community Palliative Care teams, and growing range of Out-Patient services. All our services are tailored to each patient’s needs to enable them to attain the best quality of life possible.
As a charity our care is provided to our patients and families free of charge. In 2017/18 it will cost £3.9 million to provide our patient services to the local community with less than 20% funding from the North Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group. We therefore need to generate £3.1 million from Fundraising, Gifts in Wills, Lottery and Retail activities to support patients and their families affected by life limiting illnesses.
To sign up and for more information please visit cyclebigwheel.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter @smhbasingstoke #BigWheel25
Like us on Facebook at St Michael’s Hospice (North Hampshire)
For further information, please contact:
Chris Griffiths, Marketing and Events Manager, 01256 848847 (office) – (Mon to Fri, 8:30am to 5pm)
Notes to editors
1. For all enquires please contact, Chris Griffiths only, should further information be desired from Hampshire Hospital Foundation Trust this will be sought and relayed by St. Michael’s Hospice
About St. Michael’s Hospice
St. Michael’s Hospice is a provider of the highest quality and standard of specialist palliative care for patients in North Hampshire. Through specialist skills and knowledge St. Michael’s Hospice works with patients affected by life-limiting illness to ensure they are able to live life to the fullest. The Hospice provides In-Patient, Day Care and Community Palliative Care services as well as a growing range of Out-Patient services including the Therapeutic Clinic, Complementary Therapy and Medical Consultation. Family and carer support is also a significant part of the work at the Hospice. All Hospice services are provided to patients and their families free of charge.
St. Michael’s Hospice is a UK registered charity and has an annual operating cost of around £3.9 million of which the Hospice receives less than 20% through the Hampshire Primary Care Trust and the remaining £3.1 million needs to be raised through donations, fundraising, legacies and its shops, St. Michael’s very much relies on the generosity of our local community to sustain its services.
