The 100-mile route, which starts at the Queen Elizabeth Park in London and finishes on The Mall, takes on much of the route made famous by the London 2012 Olympic Road Cycling Races, including the two challenging accents of Box Hill and Leith Hill in Surrey.  

Most cyclists fundraise for charities as they take on this iconic ride and this year 20 cyclists took part in aid of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care, building awareness of this vital charity and raising over £15,300 to help fund the supportive and end of life care which it provides for patients and families in West Surrey and North East Hampshire, who are living with a terminal illness such as cancer. It was the biggest Ride team Phyllis Tuckwell has ever had and many of the cyclists took part in memory of a friend or family member whom Phyllis Tuckwell had cared for, such as David Moore, who said “RideLondon 100 is a great cycling challenge, combining the sights and sounds of London streets and Surrey villages, and of course the hills!It’s my fourth Ride in support of Phyllis Tuckwell and I'm proud to ride for them as they are supporting a relative of mine. I feel it’s important to say thank you and try to help in a small way.”

Phyllis Tuckwell Community Fundraiser, Charlotte Quay-Barnham, was up before sunrise to try and catch a few photos of the cyclists before they set off. “It was brilliant to get some photos of them in their Phyllis Tuckwell jerseys,” she said, “and to wish them good luck before they set off. It was quite early in the morning, but even at that hour the camaraderie between the cyclists created a real buzz! I would like to say a massive thank you to the whole team for their support; they should all be really proud to have completed this epic ride. The awareness they raised for Phyllis Tuckwell is hugely important, and their sponsorship will help us to continue to provide our Hospice Care to local patients and families who are living with a terminal illness”. 

As the NHS/Government only covers 20% of Phyllis Tuckwell’s costs, it has to raise over £20,000 a day to be able to offer all of its services to its patients and their families. £15,300 could pay for the charity’s Day Services for around ten days, where patients can receive nursing care, speak to doctors, occupational therapists and physiotherapists, attend exercise classes, receive complementary therapy treatments such as massage or reflexology, talk to counsellors, chaplains and social work advisors, and meet other patients who are living with a terminal illness. It also allows their carers a few hours to themselves, knowing that their loved one is safe and well cared for.

If you would like to take part in next year’s RideLondon-Surrey 100 in support of Phyllis Tuckwell, please contact the charity’s Fundraising team on 01252 729446 or email fundraising@pth.org.uk