Yorkshire Vet Peter Wright has raised thousands of pounds after completing a 170-mile coast to coast bike ride, which he admitted was tougher than expected.
The famous vet, one of the stars of the Channel 5 TV show, tackled the Roses Way from Morecombe to Bridlington to raise money for a cause close to his heart, the transformation by Herriot Hospice Homecare of the old Lambert Hospital in Thirsk.
Peter, 66, swapped his wellies for lycra spurred on by long time friends Andy Cooper, Andy Carver and Paul Pattison, and family. They were supported by their wives and David and Denise Wright on the road. Channel Five’s Daisy Bank Studios television camera teams accompanied them on the route.
From Morecombe they had mixed weather over the Pennines many hills which taxed their endurance and sometimes sense of direction over difficult terrain. Plus strong gusting winds slowed their pace.
One cyclist pulled a muscle but persevered. It was experienced long distance cyclist Andy Cooper who persuaded them to try the route, and Herriot Hospice will benefit from the magnificent effort put in.
On the second day they returned to more familiar territory and the sights of home in Yorkshire. They stopped off in Thirsk Market Place to greet families, friends and supporters.
So far, the epic event has raised more than £10,000 for the new hospice being planned in the old Lambert Hospital building in Chapel Street, Thirsk.
Peter said: “Normally the wind would be behind you going from Morecombe to Bridlington, but it wasn’t and it was gusting at up to 20mph. The thing that kept me going through the difficult bits was raising money for the hospice.
“I know how difficult and stressful it can be to have a relative being looked after in a hospice or hospital way out of our area. I have known people having to travel huge distances to visit loved ones and not being able to see them regularly at this most difficult of times.
“I’m a big believer in charity beginning at home and it is fantastic that people across Hambleton and Richmondshire will be able to make use of this superb facility. To have this level of care on our doorstep is priceless.”
Herriot Hospice Homecare say the centre at the former Lambert Memorial Hospital, will be a warm, welcoming place for people living with terminal illness, offering personalised care for them and their families.
The building will house an inpatient unit with six bedrooms, a community hub, specialist bereavement and emotional wellbeing support and provide a permanent base for the charity’s well-established community service.
Once open, the new centre will mean Herriot Hospice Homecare can support an additional 500 people each year.
Peter’s cycle ride is part of moves to raise the £411,000 needed to open the doors plus £225,000 for fixtures and fittings.
Chief executive of the charity, Tony Collins said: “We are delighted at the support that Peter has been giving to our appeal.
“We still have a long way to go to achieve our ambitious plans, and we can't do this without the dedication of supporters such as Peter, who as well as raising funds, is also helping to raise the profile of our appeal.”
Donations can be made over the phone 01609 777 413, through www.justgiving.com/campaign/vetpeterwright or contact www.herriothh.org/thelambert.
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