A doctor and nurse from Harborne have raised over £400 for a local hospice after completing a 100-mile cycle.
Specialty doctor Rebecca Dawlatly and triage nurse Rachel Shuttleworth took on the gruelling challenge in a bid to raise vital funds for Birmingham St Mary’s – the hospice where they both work.
Using a static bike at Harborne Pool and Fitness Centre, it took five and half hours for the duo to complete the distance, which is the equivalent of cycling from The Bullring to Buckingham Palace.
Generous gym-goers, as well as friends and family, helped raise the £420 total for the hospice, which provides care and support to local people living with life-limiting illness.
Talking about the ride, Dr Rebecca Dawlatly said: “I truly believe hospice care should be available to everyone who needs it, wherever and whenever they need it. That’s why I wanted to take on a difficult challenge to help raise even more awareness and funds for Birmingham St Mary’s.
“Although 100 miles was no easy task, it was fantastic to meet so many kind-hearted people at Harborne Pool and Fitness Centre. Thank you to everyone who made a donation and cheered Rachel and I on – your generous support will help even more local people receive the care and support they need.”
The 100-mile cycle was just a warm-up for ‘Dr Becky’ as she prepares to cycle from Lands End to John O’Groats this September. The 969-mile stretch – which is the length of Great Britain – will take nine days to complete and will help raise even more funds for the Selly Park-based charity.
Dr Rebecca Dawlatly added: “Cycling 969 miles is going to be tough but knowing that I will be raising even more money for the hospice will be a big motivator in getting me across the finish line.”
Birmingham St Mary’s cares for 350 people every day – whether that’s at the hospice, in people’s own homes or in community locations such as GP surgeries. It costs £8 million to run the hospice each year – over half of which needs to come from voluntary donations – so it truly relies of the generosity of local people to fund its crucial services.
To sponsor Dr Rebecca Dawlatly’s Lands End to John O’Groats bike ride, visit her Just Giving page.