Final Day: After a slow day yesterday with lots of distractions, our cyclists were up bright and early and off to complete the last stage of this epic adventure.
At 3pm we welcomed Cllr. Richard Jenks, Mayor of Newton Abbot and Maggie Bonnell, Manager of KingsCare and they officially welcomed the cyclists to Lands End!! However that was not possible as instead of the team achieving the 208 miles from Newton Abbot to Lands End it turned out that they had cycled 343 miles, that is all the way back to Newton Abbot. Unbelievable but true. So Richard welcomed them back to Southlands.
This was achieved by every day our team trying to reach the groups daily target and others had set their own personal goal including Anne R-J who was cycling 7 miles a day which often meant they were over shooting the daily target.
The Mayor congratulated everyone and all raised a glass or two of champagne and enjoyed a spread prepared by Diane our Cook and Carol.
The party was also treated to the Southlands version of Tina Turners “Simply the best” with words being adapted by Lois to take in the adventures of the Cycle-athon.
Sylvia and Ron presented a cheque to KingsCare for a tremendous £1,453.75 the money raised through all those who sponsored the Cycle-athon. This is 254% of the original target of £500.00!!
For those who still wish to sponsor the team please do so by following www.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/cyclewithsouthlands.
Added to the speeches were messages from many families and friends congratulating everyone, making suggestions that the next target is to cycle to John O`Groats or join in the Tour de France!!!!!
A special message from Richard Hainsworth a star from the film “Fisherman’s Friend” was received which can be seen below.
Thanks to everyone who organised the 15 day event, especially Vanessa and our fantastic staff team but to our cyclists for their perseverance, encouragement of each other and fun. Very well done.
So as not to loose the health and fitness gains of the adventure, we will be continuing “Spinning Classes” at least twice a week.
Pictured below: Jasmine, Lois, Mary, Major Cllr Richard Jenks, Sylvia, Ron, Maggie, Elizabeth, Pearl.
Southlands Cycle-athon version of Tina Turner’s “Simply the best”
Speech by Bernie Price on behalf of the cycle-athon team.
Hi Andrew and Carol,
It’s me the big beardie one from The Fisherman’s Friends Film; Caroline Small told me about your epic “Virtual Cycle” and I just wanted to add my massive congratulations and huge love to all concerned. I think it’s amazing what you are achieving and to finish up in Cornwall couldn’t be better. I do hope you enjoyed The Fisherman’s Friends, we were supposed to be filming the sequel now, but as we all know, everything has changed, but with a fair wind in our sails and God on our side, we should start filming later this year. Enjoy your fish and chips and Cornish Cream teas – the proper Cornish way with jam on first and a large dollop of clotted cream on top. Proper Job!! Well done my ‘andsomes – keep hauling!!!
Richard Hainsworth
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