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New Blackmore Vale, 22 July 2022
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Charity riders pedal to £10,000-plus by Andrew Diprose A charity bike tour covering over 280 miles in four days and across four countries is expected to raise more than £10,000 for Teddy20 Supporting Children with Cancer. The challenge, involving a team of nine cyclists, followed the success of Le Teddy Tour 2018. The riders began in Watten, France, covering more than 50 miles to reach their first destination. Day two saw a steady increase in mileage as they cycled 60-plus miles to reach Brussels in Belgium. Feeling tired, but keen to get going, the team set off early for day three and ended in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, after more than 75 miles. Day four was the longest day of cycling with over 85 miles to cover before finishing in Essen, Germany. While tired, the team were
The nine riders who cycled for Teddy20 Supporting Children with Cancer.
motivated to keep pushing, especially Teddy20 Founder, Owen Newton, who was one of the cyclists. The Blandford-based charity, Teddy20, was set up in memory of Owen’s son, Ted, after he died from a rare form of cancer. He was ten years old. Day four of the cycle ride marked 12 long years since losing Ted. Tour co-ordinator Sophie Ferry, who planned and organised the ride, said: “It was a testing day for Owen, and the
whole group, but a day which gave the team the biggest reason to keep on going. “Day four’s ride was dedicated to Ted and, at the finale, a toast was raised to the special young boy, whose legacy will continue to live on forever through Teddy20 and Teddy Rocks.”
Raise money
In addition to Owen, the other cyclists were: Gary Johnson, James Blackham, Alice Jewer, Kevin Strafford, Tom Ringer,
Peter Armitage, Phil Lea and Kelly Wilcox. The total amount raised, including sponsorship and donations, is expected to exceed £10,000. Sophie said: “Teddy20 would like to give a huge thank you to the whole cycle team for all their hard work and for coming together to raise money and awareness for Teddy20. “We’d also like to thank Brian Wareham and Jill Budd for driving the support vehicles and keeping the cyclists safe and on route, and to Adam Gonthier, for his incredible photo and videography skills which allowed us to document the whole journey. “Special thanks must also go to our sponsors – without their support and donations this tour would not have been possible: Meyers Estate Agents, Blandford Forum, Riverside Travel, Low Energy Designs, Offcamber Cycles and Horrocks & Webb.
