Ride for life raises £30,000

By Rebecca Gibson

General news

02 July 2010 17:18

On the weekend of 5th and 6th June 350 riders got together to complete a sponsored ten mile ride in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Now in its fourth year, the Speedgate Ride for Life has raised just under £100,000 for the charity and last year their events manager, Nicola Barnes, was awarded a flame of hope in recognition the work her team have done to raise money in previous years.

“The idea really seems to have captured people’s imagination,” Nicola says. “We started it off but since then people have come up with their own ideas and suggestions to make it bigger and better.”

This year, as well as the ‘Think Pink’ theme and a goody bag for each entrant, there were ‘Hoof for Hope’ awards with prizes for the pinkest combination of horse and rider, the pinkest group, the most money raised and the top sponsor.

“A lot of the people who take part have personal reasons for doing the Ride for Life. They might be a survivor themselves, or be doing it for a friend or a family member who is going through treatment,” Nicola says. “It’s a fun event, but with a serious message and purpose behind it.”

Breast cancer survivor Wendy Tanton, 42, from Kent was one of those taking part on her horse Harvey. “For horse lovers like me, I can’t think of a better way to raise money,” Wendy says. “It’s a fantastic course that goes through beautiful countryside so it’s not an arduous task at all. And of course, all the money raised during the two days goes to help people like me. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for organisations like Cancer Research UK”.

Jane Krafft, area volunteer manager for the charity said: “Ride for Life is an event – full of colour and character. They have raised a phenomenal amount of money in previous years and have done even better this year.”