Cycle Team Takes on Epic Challenge

On 14 June 2025 fifteen local amateur cyclists will commence a 7-day challenge to raise money to support Brian House Children’s Hospice.

They will cover over 825 miles in distance and the aim is to raise £25k in the process!

Starting in Munich the cyclists will traverse demanding mountainous terrain between Germany and Austria, and long winding roads through Italy that will eventually lead to the finish line in Rome.

The route takes in some of the toughest and most iconic climbs in the Alps. In total the cyclists will complete a gruelling 46,000 ft in elevation - without rest days.

Along the way, they will pass through Pisa, significantly completing a loop of Europe connected by iconic towers.

The team is unique, as for each challenge they undertake, they self-fund, personally meeting all costs for the trip. That means that every penny raised goes straight to Brian House.

The challenge includes twelve months of vigorous training, preparation and focused commitment.

Purpose

The objective of the event is to raise vital funds and awareness for Brian House Children’s Hospice. As we face rising costs and the cost-of-living crisis, Brian House needs the help of the community more than ever.

It costs around £1.5 million each year to keep Brian House open, with all services provided FREE of charge. With very little government funding, Brian House relies on kind donations to continue caring for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and their families in our local community.

Fundraising obviously underpins everything Brain House do. If they were not successful in fundraising activities, then they would be extremely limited in the services they could offer patients.

Gemma Webster, Community Fundraising Officer for Brian House Children’s Hospice, said: “We are blown away by the continued commitment of Team Yabbitus, who once again are pushing themselves to the extreme in the name of charity! Team Yabbitus is made up of a group of incredible people, passionate about working together to make a huge difference to the local children we are privileged to care for. Already, they have raised a significant sum of money which has allowed us to provide specialist care to the truly exceptional children on the Fylde coast who we are privileged to care for. We can’t thank them enough.”

History & Background

Team Yabbitus is a group of friends from Blackpool, who are committed to supporting their local Children’s Hospice, Brian House.

Since 2012, the team has undertaken previous challenges across Europe to raise much-needed funds, create awareness about the Hospice, and inspire others to take action.

To date, they have cumulatively raised £112k through their efforts and are aiming to raise £25k from this latest challenge in June 2025.

Team member Andy Charles said, “we’ve been in support of Brian House for over 13 years now, and it holds an important place in the hearts of all the team. At a time when some Hospice’s nationally are making redundancies and raising emergency funds to remain open, it is important that we stand up to support this amazing place that provides such a vital service across the Fylde Coast. I’m proud of these lads, who are giving up their free time and holidays to train and complete the challenge, whilst raising much needed funds and awareness so our local Hospice can remain functioning.”

More about the Charity

Brian House Children’s Hospice is well known to the local Fylde community. It is a sad fact that some lives are too short – at Brian House, our staff provide very specialist care to truly remarkable yet extremely vulnerable children and young people, supported by a team of dedicated volunteers to ensure that all lives are full, however short.

The team at Brian House ensure the children and families are supported to make the most of every day through all sorts of experiences and by creating cherished memories.

Brian House is the only Children’s Hospice on the Fylde Coast providing respite, palliative and end of life care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions. They care for youngsters both during the day and overnight and support their families at every step of what can be an unpredictable journey.