Pedal power aids hospice

Ian, aged 53, from of Edinburgh Road, Bexhill, took part in the Prudential Ride 100 challenge on August 2.

The charity ride follows a 100 mile Olympic cycle route around the capital.

Ian, whose wife Fliss works at the hospice, put in weeks of training before the event.

He describes himself as describes himself as a “slightly embarrassed MAMIL” (Middle-Aged Man in Lycra).

Ian said: “With my ability to cycle slowly up to Fairlight, local knowledge of the Old Town’s best pubs for refreshment and the occasional foray past Eastbourne up to Beachy Head, I was ready to take anything Surrey and Greater London could throw at me.”

Despite his self-deprecating comments, Ian completed the challenging bike ride successfully and without suffering any after-effects.

To date, his efforts have raised about £2,300 for the hospice.

Ian is a well-known music teacher and a much-respected guitarist in Hastings and Rother.

As well as playing in countless venues in the UK he has directed much church music and has run music workshops for the renowned Rhythmix music charity.

It is not the first time that Ian has saddled up to help raise funds for St Michael’s Hospice.

Last year he and Fliss, who are both traditional cider lovers, cycled more than 200 miles from Devon to the hospice, in St Leonards, carrying back with them a bottle of Emma Stapleforth’s award-winning ‘Rumpy Scrumpy’ cider.

Their efforts raised more than £4,000 for the hospice.

Fliss commented at the time: “Working at the hospice I see first-hand how important fundraising is. So when a friend suggested we collect a bottle of cider from Devon and cycle back to the hospice with it, the joke soon turned into a reality.”

St Michael’s Hospice is working hard to raise funds after being badly damaged by a fire earlier this year.

The charity has said the support and response it has had from the public has been overwhelming.

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