47 riders cycled to the Palace of Versailles from Crystal Palace over four days, battling wind, rain and steep hills as part of a fundraising challenge for St Christopher’s Hospice.
The team included two nurses from the hospice as well as many others who were riding in memory of a loved one who has died and was supported by St Christopher’s.
Nick, 54, from West Wickham rode in memory of best friend Steve who died at the hospice in February. He completed the challenge on Steve’s bike and has raised almost £5,000 for the charity.
Steve, who was a member of the London Fire Brigade, was diagnosed with Oesophageal cancer in 2024.
In total, the bike ride has so far raised almost £150,000 for St Christopher’s who must fundraise more than £19M each year to deliver services across five London boroughs.
Last year the charity supported almost 7,000 people across south London. It is the home of the modern hospice movement, founded by Dame Cicely Saunders in 1967.
Nurses Katie Grace and Chris Mangar were part of a five-strong staff team as well as music therapist Seán Kenny, Rehabilitation and Wellbeing Consultant Lead Helena Talbot Rice and Fiona Walkingshaw, Head of Bereavement Services.
Also cycling was former TV GP Dr Rosemary Leonard MBE who has taken on previous bike ride challenges for the hospice.
The riders began at the hospice in Sydenham before riding through Crystal Palace park and then taking in the picturesque countryside of Surrey and east and west Sussex, as well as the small villages and medieval market towns of northern France, before finishing at the famous Palace of Versailles.
The efforts to raise funds come as hospices across the UK aim to meet rising costs and demand and on Friday, Hospice UK, which represents the sector, told the Guardian that hospices were “on the brink” with two in five are making cuts this year despite the importance of end-of-life care if assisted dying becomes legal.
As the House of Lords debated the Assisted Dying legislation, Hospice UK said many hospices were financially struggling and still “in the dark” about how funding for end-of-life care will be improved when assisted dying legislation is passed.
Last year, many hospices across the country had to cut services and jobs following spiralling costs and a rise in demand. Government intervention before Christmas saw a welcome £100m funding boost for hospices across the country but St Christopher’s, alongside hospice membership body Hospice UK, continue to work with the government on a longer-term funding solution for the sector.
Nick Green, upon completing the challenge, says: “Steve was my best friend. I was blown away by the care he got at St Christopher’s, it was inspirational to see the staff doing work I could never do and that’s why I took on the cycle.
“Steve fought with grit, determination, and bravery. The fight Steve showed was nothing short of incredible, he refused to give up – his mentality, courage and spirit were beyond inspiring.”
“Steve was a keen cyclist himself and he’d have loved to have done something like this and I wanted to ride his bike so I can have him with me.”
Katie Grace, palliative care nurse and Clinical Team Lead for the hospice’s inpatient unit, says: “I have been working on the inpatient unit for nine years and in that time I’ve seen demand for our services increase.
“To meet this demand, each year we have to raise millions of pounds and I am proud to be part of a team of staff, volunteers and supporters who have taken on this challenge.”
“Every day I see the difference the team at St Christopher’s make not only on the inpatient unit but across south London in delivering specialist palliative and end of life care to the people who need it, and supporting their loved ones too.
“Please support us on this challenge and help us raise vital funds for the hospice so we can continue to be there for the people of south London.”
