DOZENS of cyclists have travelled to hospitals across Hampshire to raise awareness for the charity Sophie’s Legacy.
While most completed the challenge in teams, four people have completed the full 300km route.
The event, called Seven for Sophie, saw the cyclists cycle from Basingstoke Hospital to Southampton General Hospital, stopping at all the hospitals operated by the Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, travelling across the county in an “S” shape.
Charity founder Charlotte Fairall told the Chronicle: “It’s been about 18 months in the planning for this.
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“It is our seven original hospitals that we started back in January 2022, and the route spells an ‘S’ for Sophie, which is why we’ve called it ‘Seven for Sophie’. We’re really emphasising parents being fed when their children are in hospital.
"There are hospitals like Winchester and Basingstoke which provide food to parents, and there are other ones we are going to which don’t. It’s raising awareness and highlighting what the charity does as well.
“We have 4 people doing the whole 300km in one go, which is wild, and then we have others who are doing it in teams.
“All have raised over £10,000 which is amazing and will make such a difference to families that are in hospital right now and means we can support them.
“The day has gone amazing. Considering that it was forecast to rain a week ago, we’ve had a beautiful day. It’s gone really well and there’s been so much support. We just keep battling on.”
The cyclists were welcomed to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Romsey Road at midday by Dr Ruth Williamson, the chief medical officer. When there, the participants were treated to sports massages and food prepared by Rob Strachan, head of catering services for Hampshire Hospitals.
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Charlotte continued: “We want to give a huge thanks to Rob, he has really got behind our mission to feed parents. And from hearing me talk last year, he said ‘Oh, we’re starting that tomorrow’, and he has fed parents ever since.
“And he’s fed us this morning for breakfast and again here.
“And we need people like Rob, who really get behind us and do the right thing to do.”
More information about Sophie’s Legacy can be found on the charity’s website.
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