St Giles Hospice aims to relaunch events with Cycle Spring

St Giles Hospice is hoping to relaunch its programme of fundraising events over the next few months – starting with Cycle Spring in May.

Events like Cycle Spring and their annual Solstice Walk raise more than £300,000 each year towards funding care for local people living with terminal illness and their families and, as Coronavirus restrictions begin to be lifted, the hospice is planning to bring the events calendar back as soon as Government guidelines allow.

Cycle Spring is planned to take place on Sunday 23rd May, with COVID-compliant measures in place. 

2020 was an extremely difficult year in which to raise vital funds for the charity that saw closure of their shops and cancellation of many fundraising events – making the 2021 events programme more important than ever in raising vital funds for hospice care.

Chloe Herbert, Head of Fundraising at St Giles Hospice, said: “If England continues to meet the Government’s COVID-19 milestones, we are hoping that our events should be able to go ahead this year – starting with Cycle Spring. 

“We’re absolutely delighted at the thought of being able to welcome back our wonderful fundraisers in person in 2021 after a year when we’ve had to cancel our events and close our shops, which significantly impacted on our income. 

“Whether you’re a regular rider or new to cycling, we’d love you to support us at our COVID-compliant Cycle Spring event. We sincerely hope that Coronavirus restrictions do not result in further cancellations but the safety of our supporters, volunteers and staff is our top priority. Whatever happens, we’ll be keeping our participants up to date with developments. 

“If, come May, we can’t get together at Whittington we’ll provide our participants with everything you need to cycle for St Giles in your own time. We’ll make sure that our community can still take part, no matter what! Following sign up, all cyclists will be provided with fundraising packs full of route maps, medals, certificates and more.”

Previous Cycle Spring rides set off from Chasewater, but this year’s event will be starting and finishing at a new location for the first time ever – St Giles Hospice in Whittington. 

Riders will be able to choose from three new routes through the beautiful Staffordshire countryside with varying degrees of difficulty. The 27-mile route is open to all cyclists aged 10 and above and the more challenging 52-mile and 76-mile routes are open to riders aged 16 and over.

Arrival times will be staggered from 7.30am to ensure that social distancing measures can be complied with, and bookings are restricted to a maximum of six people from the same household or support bubble.

One person cheering the return of Cycle Spring is Lichfield fundraiser Phil Langham, whose father-in-law was cared for at St Giles Hospice.

Warehouse supervisor Phil, aged 52, took part in his first Cycle Spring event in September 2019 and is hoping to take part again.

Phil said: “I did Cycle Spring for the first time in 2019 and jumped right in at the deep end, doing the most difficult challenge. I really enjoyed it. It was amazing – a really good atmosphere.

“Cycling is a very sociable thing to do and knowing we were all riding for such a good cause gave us a real boost. It’s vital to support specialist services like St Giles Hospice and it’s great to hear that the event is going ahead again this year. The hospice relies so much on the local community for its fundraising and I really felt for St Giles because of the cancellations in 2020.”

Phil has supported St Giles since his wife Helen’s dad, Denis Parsons, was cared for by the hospice in 2011 before his death from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He took part the 2019 ride with a team of fellow worshippers from Lichfield’s Wade Street Church.

Phil added: “St Giles Hospice is such a lovely place. My father-in-law felt comfortable there and the staff were really good. They always did what they could to help, and the nurses were brilliant, really attentive.

“I would definitely encourage people to take part in a cycling challenge for St Giles. It’s a great way to get some exercise and see the countryside and there’s a ride for people of all abilities – you can be as adventurous as you like!”

Cyclists booking a place before midnight on Wednesday 31st March can enjoy an early bird offer of £25, and entry at £27 closes at midday on Thursday 20th May 2021.

Chloe added: “Our cycling events have raised more than £250,000 since they were launched in 2013 and we’d like to thank everyone who has taken part and raised funds for St Giles. Riders like Phil make an enormous contribution which allows us to support more local patients living with a terminal illness and their families.

“With a new location this year we hope many Cycle Spring veterans will return to join our riders on these exciting routes for the first time – and with three to choose from you won’t struggle to find a cycle challenge to suit you or the whole family!”

To sign up for Cycle St Giles Spring or for any further details visit http://www.stgileshospice.com/cyclespring

For more information about St Giles Hospice and the expert care it provides, please visit http://www.stgileshospice.com

Sutton Coldfield residents are getting on their bikes this month as a cycling initiative gets under way in the town. New bike stands have appeared at Sutton Park as part of a new cycle hire scheme in the town. The docking stations will include normal three-gear pedal bikes, with 10 per cent electric bikes available.

The Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, has welcomed the initiative saying ‘the bikes, made here in the West Midlands, will be supporting local jobs and businesses.’

The stands have appeared at the park’s Banners Gate and Boldmere Gate entrances as well as Sutton town centre and customers will hire the bikes via an app at a cost £1 to unlock a bike and 5p per minute after that. This means a 20 minute cycle will cost £2 and an hour £4.

Following a link up with the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council and Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) there will be a limited trial in the town this month followed by a full public launch across the West Midlands from March.  Up to eight docking stations have been installed in key locations around the town centre including those at the park.

From March 8 the distinctive grey and green West Midlands Cycle Hire bikes will be available to the public and the scheme will be rolled out in Coventry, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Stourbridge, West Bromwich, Solihull and Walsall by the end of July.

They will be available to hire 24 hours a day, every day of the year. With docking stations at major bus, metro and train stations, visitor attractions and city or town centres.

The operator of London’s Santander Cycles has been appointed by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) to offer bikes in Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Wolverhampton and Walsall from next Spring.

The pedal cycles will all have three gears to cope with the hilly parts of the region and fitted with high quality laser safety lights that project an image of a bicycle five metres in front of the bike. 

TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), has agreed a five-year contract to offer more people the opportunity to enjoy cycling and provide a convenient alternative to the car for shorter journeys.

Work is under way with partner councils to find sites for 170 fixed docking stations across the region. There will also be some virtual geo-fenced docking areas which can be moved to meet demand or for large scale events such as the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Mr Street, who is standing for re-election in May’s mayoral election, said: “Lockdown has shown there is a huge appetite for cycling among the people of the West Midlands as many take the opportunity to get out and about on two wheels.

“It is therefore great to see the docks and bikes finally on the streets of Sutton Coldfield with the closed trial of our Cycle Hire scheme now well underway. I know the people of Sutton will be itching to get involved now they can see the docks and bikes, and I look forward to seeing the first residents of the royal town trying the bikes out when the scheme launches to members of the public on March 8.

“As well as providing a great opportunity for more people to take up cycling – these bikes also made here in the West Midlands, supporting local jobs and businesses.”

The bikes are manufactured in Stratford-upon-Avon by Pashley Cycles who also work with Serco to provide the bikes for London and Edinburgh. Supporting technology will be provided by British micromobility operator Beryl who also work with Serco in London.

TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), has agreed a five-year contract to offer more people the opportunity to enjoy cycling and provide a convenient alternative to the car for shorter journeys.

Cllr Waseem Zaffar, cabinet member for transport and environment with Birmingham City Council, said: “The West Midlands Cycle Hire will offer a more affordable alternative to buying a bike and give more people the opportunity to try cycling and contribute to improving our air quality and easing traffic congestion.”

The scheme is expected to create up to 25 new local jobs supporting the operation and maintenance of the bikes.

A full technology platform for the service, including the rider app and GPS connectivity on the bike which will integrate with the Swift travel card system, will enable customers to use their Swift accounts to hire bikes in the West Midlands, a first for a major UK bike share scheme.

Cllr Simon Ward, leader of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, said: “We are delighted to be at the forefront of this scheme in partnership with TfWM, the city council and Serco to bring cycle hire to Sutton Coldfield. 

“It is great news for our Royal Town to be one of the first places in the region to launch this cycle hire scheme and it enables the Town Council to deliver on its priorities of improving cycling infrastructure, promoting active travel and healthy lifestyles.”

For more information and to register for updates on West Midlands Cycle Hire visit: https://www.wmcyclehire.co.uk/

Gauntlet thrown down on St Giles wing-walking challenge

Sutton Coldfield daredevils with a head for heights can now take on the ultimate aerial challenge by wing walking on a plane in aid of St Giles Hospice when the lockdown is finally over.

St Giles is joining forces with events company Life Changing Challenges to offer thrill seekers a brand new fundraising experience they’ll never forget in the skies above Gloucestershire.

Everyone who takes part will enjoy a wing walk at a private airfield in Cirencester, with full training and a safety briefing, flying overalls provided and support from the hospice fundraising team.

Elinor Eustace, Income Generation Director at St Giles Hospice said: “Our fundraisers have told us that they love these adrenaline-fuelled experiences and we’re absolutely thrilled to be able to offer people the chance to enjoy one of these amazing flights.

“We’re looking for over-18s who want to test their nerve by trying a different kind of charity challenge – taking their bravery to new heights as they raise the funds we need to support patients living with a terminal illness and their families.”

One St Giles supporter who would love to do a wing-walking flight is 58-year-old Peter Norman who jumped out of a plane for the hospice in 2018, raising more than £500 through his fundraising parachute jump.

HGV driver Peter, who lives in Rugeley, enjoyed the experience so much he did another skydive in 2019 and was due to jump again last year until his flight was cancelled during the COVID-19 lockdown.

He said: “I really enjoyed skydiving for St Giles – it was a big adrenaline rush, far better than any rollercoaster ride you can go on and the views are simply phenomenal. It’s just a massive buzz.

“I wouldn’t hesitate to go wing walking – I’d do it tomorrow. Maybe I’m nuts but I think it would be a great experience! It’s so satisfying to challenge yourself with such a unique event – especially when you’re doing it in aid of a great cause. That’s the icing on the cake, because you know that you’re pushing yourself and helping so many people at the same time.”

Peter signed up for his first jump in memory of his dad Watty (corr) Norman, who died at home with lung cancer in 2003 supported by St Giles Hospice at Home nurses. 

He added: “St Giles staff were amazing – the nurses came and stayed with us at the house and it allowed Dad to be at home with his family right to the end, which made such a difference to him and we’re all really grateful that he got that opportunity.

“I visit the hospice each year on the anniversary of Dad’s death to read his name in the memorial book. I always leave a donation and we play the hospice lottery throughout the year.  My nephew’s wife Jemma Norman passed away at St Giles in 2017 and they looked after her so well – and you hear lots of stories like that in the area. 

“So many people have friends or family who have been supported by St Giles, so it’s really important that we support them in return.”

Anyone interested in taking part in a wing-walking challenge can sign up for a flight on weekdays between March and October and selected Saturdays between April and September. The event is fully COVID-secure.

There is a registration fee of £50 and fundraisers must pledge to raise a minimum sponsorship of £800. All St Giles wing walkers will get a fundraising pack, an orange hospice T-shirt and full support from a dedicated member of the St Giles fundraising team.

To learn more about the wing walking challenge or sign up for the event email Fundraising@Stgileshospice.com  or visit www.stgileshospice.com/how-you-can-help-us/fundraise-with-us/our-events/wing-walk/

Give it up – or bring it on – to support St Giles

Sutton Coldfield resident are being urged to wave goodbye to bad habits and feel fitter for 2021 by giving it up – or bringing it on – to support St Giles Hospice in the New Year. The charity has launched two fundraising challenges to inspire anyone who wants an added incentive to stick to their New Year’s resolutions in the months ahead.
People can Give it up for St Giles – sacrificing something they want to shake off with the added
incentive of sponsorship – or they can test themselves with a new exercise challenge by joining Miles 4 St Giles to kick-start their healthier lifestyle. Youngster Evie Deeley, aged nine, from Armitage, led the way in the first lockdown when her activities raised more than £1,200 for the hospice.
Chloe Herbert, Head of Fundraising at St Giles Hospice, said: “Everyone thinks about changing their lives for the better as New Year comes along, and our two challenges could be just the incentive you need to make a vow and stick to it! Whether you wave goodbye to gaming, or cut out your coffee and cake, you can give it up for St Giles in 2021 and help to raise much-needed funds for local people living with a terminal illness.
“Or if you want to take up a new exercise challenge you can give yourself a great target to aim for with Miles 4 St Giles by pledging to run, walk or cycle 30, 60, 90 or 120 miles or your own set
distance over 30 days.”

Whatever you say farewell to after Christmas is over, be sure to get support from your friends, family or colleagues – your sacrifice deserves sponsoring

Miles 4 St Giles was first launched last summer to encourage people to keep fit safely during the Coronavirus lockdown while raising money to help fund vital care services at St Giles in a year when the hospice’s shops were forced to close and fundraising events had to be cancelled.
The new Give it up for St Giles campaign offers another opportunity for people to help St Giles while taking steps to strengthen their physical and mental health at a time of year when many can struggle to motivate themselves.
“Whatever you say farewell to after Christma, be sure to get support from your friends, family or colleagues – your sacrifice deserves sponsoring,” Chloe added. “And every penny and pound you raise, will make a huge difference to St Giles Hospice and the services we provide to local people and their families when we need it most.
“So if you’re already thinking: ‘New Year, new me’ then why not join #TeamStGiles for the commitment and motivation to achieve your goal this January.”
Just £28 could pay for an hour of one-to-one nursing care for a patient at St Giles, and £40 could fund one hour of running the hospice’s Advice and Referrals line where dedicated clinical staff are at the end of the phone to help patients and their families 24 hours a day.
A donation of £202 could pay for home visits to a patient by St Giles community nurses and £676 could pay for 24 hours of hospice care for a patient at the end of their life.
For further information about Give It Up for St Giles visit http://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Giveitup4StGiles and to join Miles4StGiles, visit
http://www.stgileshospice.com/how-you-can-help-us/fundraise-with-us/miles-4-st-giles/