Hospice shop team’s two-wheel anniversary challenge

A team of charity shop staff and volunteers have set off on a massive fundraising endurance challenge – cycling from Blackpool Tower to the Eiffel Tower to the Leaning Tower of Pisa AND BACK!

But they’ll be doing it from their Trinity Hospice shop on Highfield Road, Blackpool, between selling pre-loved goods and accepting generous stock donations.

Over eight weeks, the team will cycle a total of 2,494 miles – so will need to achieve 45 miles a day to reach their South Shore starting point. And they’re pedalling on an exercise bike donated especially for their challenge by Your Gym, Lytham.

The team set out to raise £1,500 as part of a wider Trinity Hospice Retail challenge to raise £40,000 on top of usual sales as Trinity celebrates 40 years of hospice care for the Fylde coast. But when they reached over £2,000 in their first week, they increased their target to £5,000.

Shop manager Victoria Pallister said: “Everybody is pitching in, and some of our volunteers are even popping in to do a few miles when they’re not on shift! It really is a team effort.

“Our customers have been so supportive, donating their spare change in our collection buckets, completing our sponsor forms and donating online – but importantly their spurring us on during their visits to our shop. It’s definitely a huge push when they do.”

Sandra Threlfall was a nurse for Trinity on the day it opened in 1985. Now retired, she is still committed to the charity and supports it as a volunteer in the Highfield Road shop.

She said: “I’d never been on a bike before this challenge, but I’ve been cycling every day I’ve been in to help the team put the miles in. We all do what we can – some can do more than others.”

Rob Ward from Your Gym said: “We always do as much as we can for local charities, and we’ve taken part in Trinity’s events in the past.

“When we were asked about a bike, we jumped at the chance to help them complete their challenge and track their miles, and we know that together they have the strength and determination to complete their challenge in the eight weeks while raising a huge amount of money for Trinity Hospice.”

Victoria added: “I’m so proud of the whole team. It’s phenomenal what everyone is doing, and we know that we’re doing it to raise vital funds for our charity. As Trinity celebrates 40 years of incredible hospice care, it’s a great feeling knowing we’re helping to fund the future