St Ann’s Hospice supporter has phoned home after cycling from Manchester to Abersoch on an extraordinary (and extra-terrestrial) fundraising mission
Ben Griffiths set off at 5am on Friday 31 st March from Urmston and cycled all the way to Abersoch in an extraordinary challenge raising money for St Ann’s Hospice.
The famous film character ET took on the challenge with Ben who was dressed as Elliot. ET was strapped into the basket of the bike and went along for the ride!
Ben took on a 117-mile bike ride from Manchester to Abersoch and completed an incredible 102 miles, before his friends cycling with him agreed Ben had pushed himself to the limit.
Ben says: “I’m gutted that I didn’t make the full distance but by the time I got home I realised the importance of the groups decision to call time on my effort.”
After Ben completed the ride, he says: “My official ride stats are 165km cycled, 1920 metres of elevation, and an average speed of 13.8kmh.”
“I took on this challenge in memory of my grandad Len, and to show my support to the staff and patients at the hospice – you were always in my thoughts.” Ben Griffiths, Fundraiser
Ben’s Grandad, Len Morris, was at the hospice earlier this year for a few weeks and died on Monday 30 th January at our Heald Green site after celebrating his 84th birthday in the hospice.
He was at our hospice for end-of-life treatment due to being ill from T-cell lymphoma that had developed into skin cancer.
“My grandad has a bungalow near to Abersoch in Llanbedrog, a small town on the coast. This has been the holiday home for our family since I was about 2 years old – my entire family has so many memories there. I have been so fortunate to spend my childhood there with family and even friends as I’ve got older.”
“I just wanted to pay tribute to my grandad as I wouldn’t have any memories there if it wasn’t for him. We will also be scattering his ashes there this summer.”
Ben rode a £20, 1970’s, 3 speed Raleigh shopper bike for 12 hours – an incredible amount of effort and physical endurance all done for our hospice.
“With your help we have raised £4060, doubling my original target!” Ben Griffiths, Fundraiser
Ben’s target was to raise £2000 and promised that if he reached this in 2024 he will do the everesting challenge.
“Everesting is where you choose a hill of your choice and ride up and down repetitively until your elevation gain equals the same amount as Mount Everest. One of the main rules is that riders aren’t allowed to sleep so it would be my greatest challenge!”
To donate to Ben and support him with his challenge, his JustGiving page can be found here.