60 mile memorial bike ride raises almost £800 for Macclesfield charities
By Charlie Coldwell
13th Jul 2022 | Local News
A man has completed a 60 mile bike ride from Salford to Blackpool to raise money for two local charities.
The bike ride was in memory of Derek Price, who passed away earlier this year with cancer.
Lee Wilshaw (27) has raised a total of £755 for the charities, and that number is still growing.
He completed the ride with a group of other riders from our town who also helped to raise money.
Lee has decided to donate this money to The Christie Macclesfield and the East Cheshire Hospice.
"It was something that a close friend did last year for somebody who passed away who was close to him, and when it came up this year a family friend of mine, Derek Price, passed away from cancer not so long ago on March 25," said Lee.
"As soon as that settled and Jack [one of the other riders] said he was going to do the bike ride again that was an opportunity for me to try and raise some money for Christies and East Cheshire Hospice in memory of Derek.
"I'm absolutely overwhelmed by the amount of support that I've had from family to friends, to people who have donated in my mum and dad's shop. [Richard Delaney building materials on Mill Lane].
"They've been obviously a massive help towards the target."
Along with Lee, the ride was also completed by Macclesfield's Jack Pritchard, Jed Wilcox, Matthew Wilshaw, Joe Wedgbury, Sasha Lucie-Smith and Connor Moran, who are all also from Macclesfield and raised money for their own charities as well.
"I think last year and this year Jack Pritchard has raised over £2300, Connor Moran's done another £150, Joe Wedgbury managed to do over £300 and Jed Wilcox managed to do close to £500," Lee recalled.
"Big shoutout to the other riders. Between us we've done really well to raise so much."
The journey was a huge challenge for all of the riders.
"It was tough on the legs but well worth it," he added.
"We had a nice day in Blackpool at the end of it, and it was nice to have Carol [Derek's wife] join us at the finish line."
Lee decided to donate the money to Christies and the East Cheshire Hospice because of how they supported Derek through his battle with cancer.
"It was on behalf of Carol that I chose those two charities," he explained.
"The Christie were very supportive of Derek whilst having throat cancer."
"East Cheshire Hospice were a really good helping hand in terms of the way they supported Derek through the last few weeks of his life."
Millbank Drive's East Cheshire Hospice, who provide support locals affected by life-limiting illnesses, were contacted for comment.
"This is such an amazing achievement for them both," said Becky Sidwell from East Cheshire Hospice.
"We are very grateful of everyone who completes challenges for East Cheshire Hospice. Thank you."
The £755 that has been raised is well above the £500 target that was set out. And you can still donate now!
The ride was a tough challenge on a very hot weekend, but with the amount of money raised it has been a huge success.
"There's still cash to be counted up as well so it will be really good to get to the end and find out how much I've actually raised," Lee also said.
"Hopefully the money can go towards ensuring that people can be seen a little bit more frequently."
"It means that they can carry on supporting people the way that they have for Derek."
"In general with the morale and the people on the streets trying to motivate you and keep you going it was amazing."
"That's the main thing. If I was to ride from Manchester [Salford Quays] to Blackpool on my own I don't think I'd have the same motivation as I did with all those people supporting, so that was nice."
"It's important to mention Carol and how she's been dealing with it and obviously shoutout to the other riders."
If you would like to donate to this cause, you can do so through Lee's JustGiving page.
Carol Price, who donated £50 herself, said the following: "My amazing wonderful husband would be so proud to see Lee raising money for two special charities that are so close to my heart."
Got an event going on in Macclesfield? Advertise it for FREE on our Local List.
Macclesfield: Have you signed up for our FREE Friday weekly newsletter? It contains each week's top five Macclesfield news stories, and one EXCLUSIVE article?
1400 of you have signed up already. Simly enter your email address on this link.
Free from pop-up ads, or unwanted surveys, Macclesfield Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.
New macclesfield Jobs Section Launched!!
Vacancies updated hourly!!
Click here: macclesfield jobs
Share:
