In a heartfelt tribute to St Giles Hospice, cycling enthusiast Sam Coxon announced the 10th anniversary of the St Giles Cycle Spring event.
After his father received care from St Giles in the final days of his life in 2023, Sam invites riders of all ages and abilities to unite for a remarkable day of fundraising on Sunday 12th May. Sam, who lives in Lichfield, in Staffordshire, said: "At 31 years old, I'd never given St Giles Hospice much thought, until we had to say goodbye to my dad."
After losing his dad in August 2023, Sam has shared the impact hospice care had on him and his family. He continued: "We can't thank St Giles enough for everything they did.
“They played a massive role in making my dad’s last few weeks as comfortable as possible, something we’ll always be grateful for." As a qualified personal trainer and triathlete coach, Sam is supporting St Giles across 2024 by getting involved in the 10th anniversary of both of the hospice’s cycle events - Cycle Spring and Cycle Autumn.
Since the popular events started ten years ago, cyclists from near and far have come together, through rain and shine, raising much-needed funds for the vital services provided by St Giles Hospice. This year, as the event celebrates its monumental milestone, Sam extends a heartfelt invitation to riders old and new, urging them to join him in celebrating a decade of unwavering community support and fundraising efforts in aid of St Giles.
Sam said: "Taking part in events like Cycle Spring is a great way to challenge yourself, whilst raising vital funds to support more families like mine." Cycle Spring, on Sunday 12th May, will begin and end at the Whittington hospice, with start times staggered from 7.30am.
Children aged 10+ can join the Short route, whilst everyone aged 16+ can join the Medium and Long routes. Entry to Cycle Spring starts from £35, with tickets available until 10am on Friday 10th May.
Once you have entered, you’ll receive a bespoke fundraising pack which will provide you with lots of hints and tips to support with your fundraising journey. Supporters taking part in Cycle St Giles events over the past nine years have helped to raise more than £486,000 to fund care for local people.