A West Wickham cyclist rode from London to Paris on his late friend’s bike to raise money for St Christopher’s Hospice.
Nick Green, 54, cycled 427.3km from Crystal Palace to the Palace of Versailles on his best friend Steve’s bike, who died from oesophageal cancer at St Christopher’s Hospice in February.
Green has raised almost £5,000 for the hospice, who cared for Steve after the fireman’s diagnosis in 2024.
Green said: “Steve was my best friend. I was blown away by the care he got at St Christopher’s, it was inspirational to see the staff doing work I could never do and that’s why I took on the cycle.
“Steve fought with grit, determination, and bravery.
“He’d have loved to have done something like this and I wanted to ride his bike so I can have him with me.”
Green was one of 47 riders who took part in the four-day challenge, alongside those riding in memory of loved ones supported by St Christopher’s, former TV GP Dr Rosemary Leonard MBE, and a five-strong staff team.
Among the St Christopher’s professionals were nurses Katie Grace and Chris Mangar, music therapist Seán Kenny, rehabilitation and wellbeing consultant lead Helena Talbot Rice, and head of bereavement services Fiona Walkingshaw.
The team overcame difficult weather conditions and harsh terrain while cycling through Crystal Palace Park, Surrey, Sussex and northern France.
The ride has so far raised almost £150,000 for St Christopher’s, who must annually fundraise more than £19million to deliver hospice services across five London boroughs.
The charity, home of the modern hospice movement and founded by Dame Cicely Saunders in 1967, supported almost 7,000 people across south London last year.
A Hospice UK spokesperson told The Guardian two in five hospices are making cuts this year in attempts to meet rising cost and demand.
As the House of Lords moves into its second reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, the charity has expressed concern surrounding the improvement of end-of-life care funding if assisted dying legislation is passed because many hospices are struggling financially.
St Christopher’s, alongside Hospice UK, continues to work with the government on a long-term funding solution for the sector.
Palliative care nurse and inpatient clinical team lead Katie Grace said: “Every day I see the difference the team at St Christopher’s make, not only on the inpatient unit but across south London in delivering specialist palliative and end of life care to the people who need it.
“Please support us on this challenge and help us raise vital funds for the hospice so we can continue to be there for the people of south London.”
Anyone wishing to donate to St Christopher’s Palace to Palace Bike Ride can do so via the hospice’s website.
Images courtesy of Joe Nerssessian
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