Big Bike Ride Challenge
Photo courtesy Linda Cayley

Exhausted but jubilant cyclists ended their tough 200-mile Big Bike Ride Challenge across Suffolk and Norfolk on a high after quadrupling their fundraising target by raising a phenomenal £41,000. The challenge was in memory of Kate Woodruff, the much-loved young Head Teacher of Bramfield C of E Primary School, who died of cancer last year.

More than 150 children and other cyclists joined the 70 Big Bike cyclists on the last eight miles of the route to cycle from Henham Park Estate in Southwold to the school for a celebration to mark the event as a tribute to Kate. The children were from Bramfield Primary School and from Southwold Rugby Club where Kate’s husband Woody is a coach and where his three sons all play the sport. It was a challenging but rewarding event for all of the cyclists, especially for 13 year old Eirinn Cross from Southwold who was the youngest person to complete the 200 mile challenge.

One of the event organisers, Georgina Harrison said: “This is a huge achievement for lots of people, physically and mentally, but it has also been a very emotional experience seeing so many people honouring Kate. It is one that I’ll never forget.”

The Big Bike Ride received lots of attention over the last few months and several sponsors including James White Drinks and Fairfields Farm Crisps contributed to making the event so successful. A team of well organised volunteers managed break stops for the cyclists every 20 miles making sure that they were energised for the next leg of the journey.

The money raised will be split between Bramfield Primary School and St. Elizabeth’s Hospice, where Kate was so well cared for in her final weeks.

Bramfield Primary School’s Head Teacher, Harriet Pope said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support and generosity from people in the community and beyond. The incredible amount of money raised will help us to set up a much needed Early Years facility in Kate’s name.”

Brian Taylor, Community Fundraising Co-ordinator at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped organise the Big Bike Ride in memory of Kate Woodruff, as well as those who took part in this amazing challenge; cycling 200 miles is a fantastic achievement!

“It is only with the support of our local community and fundraising events such as this that St. Elizabeth Hospice is able to provide vital care and services to patients and their families across East Suffolk.”

You can continue to support the Big Bike Riders by either Texting KBBR99 £5 or £10 to 70070 or via the St. Elizabeth Hospice websitehttp://giving.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/the-big-bike-ride/.

Live updates of the event can be seen on the Big Bike Ride Face Book page https://www.facebook.com/thebigbikeride/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Sponsors included: 

James White Drinks

Fairfields Farm Crisps

Munchy Seeds

St. Peter’s Brewery

Clevelelys Foods

Fennel Chartered Surveyors

Observatory The Opticians

Halesworth Lions

Bramfield Garage