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Big-hearted cyclists conquer Dartmoor for hospice care

13th October 2024

Riding as one for Tour de Moor

More than 1,000 cyclists saddled up on Sunday for St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth’s thrilling Tour de Moor challenge across Dartmoor, riding as one to raise funds for the charity’s compassionate end-of-life care.

Community-spirited riders wearing distinctive branded T-shirts, turned the moor blue in support of the vital services St Luke’s provides for local families affected by terminal illness.

Participants of all ages and abilities, tested their two-wheel skills on a choice of three courses, navigating the rugged wilds of the moor.  The 53km Beast Mode route offered an exhilarating adventure for the toughest riders aged 12 and above, while the new 28km Adventurer Style route was perfect middle ground, and the 11km Mini-Moor along the tarmac Drake’s Trail catered for novices and families with younger children.

Plain sailing

Sunday’s cloudy and chilly, but dry, weather was ideal for the annual challenge which is sometimes a battle of mud, along with sweat and gears. This year it was plain sailing apart from some big splashy puddles to dodge along the way.

Riding in tribute

Amid the keen riders taking part were many wanting to pay tribute to friends or family members who have been supported by St Luke’s in their final days, weeks or months, knowing that the money they raise in sponsorship will help another family going through the toughest of times.

Every £1,000 raised by Tour de Moor represents a full package of care and support at home, free of charge, for one patient and their family on the charity’s patch, which reaches across Plymouth and out to more rural areas around Tavistock, Dartmoor, the South Hams and East Cornwall.

Anything we do for charity is always for St Luke’s

Ben Partrick and his son Jude, eight, were cycling in honour of his sister, Netha Islam, who was cared for at St Luke’s specialist unit before her death three years ago. There to cheer them on was Ben’s wife, Sam, and the family dog Nena.

“Ben was with Netha at the hospice, and they looked after her really well. Anything we do for charity is always for St Luke’s,” said Sam, who took on a skipping challenge with her daughter, Olivia, as well as a 5km run.

“It’s a good charity,” added Ben, who also did a charity kayaking challenge from Brixham to Weymouth for St Luke’s recently.

The little things make a difference

The first woman  past the 28km finish line on her brand new bike was Kayleigh Cooke, riding in memory of family friend Sheila Dolton who died very recently. Kayleigh only took up cycling six weeks ago after an injury stopped her from running the Plymouth 10km to raise funds.

She said: “We support St Luke’s as a family because they have done so much for family members and friends. It’s a cause that helps so many people and I know that the little things I can do will make a difference. The next thing on my list is a skydive.”

Proudly watching her mum complete the course was four-year-old Daisy Marie who is looking forward to taking part next year.

Good exercise

Regular Tour de Moor challenger Alex Cook usually tackles the Beast route, but for the past two years he’s been taking part with his nine-year-old daughter, Eliza, who can’t quite manage the big one yet but will be proud to show her medal to classmates at Glen Park Primary School this week.

“She can tell the other children about the event and encourage them to take part next year. As well as raising funds for St Luke’s it’s great because it’s good exercise and gets us out in the fresh air,” said Alex.

Tour de Moor represents recovery

For veteran Chris Grosvenor, riding in memory of his mum, taking part in Tour de Moor represented recovery, giving him a sense of purpose and achievement after recently finishing radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer.

He said: “I’ve never done anything like this before. I took up cycling because I was diagnosed with cancer last November, and my Macmillan nurse suggested I get involved in Tour de Moor for a mental and physical boost.”

Thank you

St Luke’s Events Lead, Georgina Dyke, said: “It’s fantastic that more than 1,000 riders turned out to take part in this year’s Tour de Moor. To see so many cyclists of all ages getting on their bikes to help keep St Luke’s vital end-of-life services running, is incredibly heartening.

“We are so grateful to every single one of them for embracing the challenge and raising funds to support our work in their local community, and we hope they had a lot of fun too!

“Of course, we could not put on something of this scale without the support of our sponsors Print Copy Scan, part of the Anglotech Group, as well as Dartmoor National Park and Maristow Estate. Huge thanks to them, plus our army of volunteers, Certini Bicycle Company, AI Campers, The Hire Shop, Devon and Cornwall 4×4 Response, Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team, the Rapid Relief Team, and The Rambler’s Rest at Princetown. You have all done your community proud!”

Pay in your sponsorship

Tour de Moor entrants are urged to pay in their sponsorship as soon as possible. Everyone who has raised more than £100 and pays it in by 29 November 2024 will be entered into a draw to win exciting prizes from Certini Bicycle Company.

Pay in your sponsorship Find your chip times

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