A CYCLING challenge has raised £8,800 for Kidderminster Hospital's cancer treatment unit.

In May, a team of seven cyclists took on the monumental challenge of cycling from Kidderminster to Gloucester and back again raising funds for the Millbrook Suite at Kidderminster Hospital.

 The cycling team, made up of regulars of Kidderminster pubs The Weavers Real Ale House, The Chester Tavern, and local brewery Fownd, cycled through all weathers throughout their journey which took almost ten hours to complete.

They were followed throughout by a support vehicle led by Darren and Mary Steadman who were on hand to provide much-needed food and refreshments kindly donated by many of Kidderminster’s supermarkets.

Alongside those taking on the epic journey, static bikes were set up in The Weavers Real Ale House and The Chester Tavern hosting a competition which aimed to clock up 100 miles each over the course of the day with pub goers chipping in to reach the target. 

Tim Hibbert, head brewer at Fownd Brewing Company, cyclist Jason Moran, Fownd and Weavers Real Ale House owner Dean Cartwright, cyclist Mark Wall and Dominic Gill, cyclist and assistant brewer at Fownd Brewing CompanyTim Hibbert, head brewer at Fownd Brewing Company, cyclist Jason Moran, Fownd and Weavers Real Ale House owner Dean Cartwright, cyclist Mark Wall and Dominic Gill, cyclist and assistant brewer at Fownd Brewing Company (Image: Sadie Gill)

A raffle and live auction also took place in the pubs following generous donations and prizes from local businesses.

The fundraising effort was arranged by Sadie Gill who was treated following a diagnosis in 2022, wishing to give something back to the NHS in thanks for the care she received. Sadie, her husband, family, and friends decided to arrange their fundraiser in support of Millbrook Suite.

Sadie said: “This is a local treatment centre which has and continues to provide amazing support to a lot of local people.”

Raising £8,800 the fundraiser was a real display of community support for their local hospital service.

Susie Hoskin, chemotherapy unit manager at the Millbrook Suite, said: ‘Thank you to Sadie, family, and friends for arranging a fundraiser in support of Millbrook Suite. Your support and the support of the local community will make a real difference for our patients and their loved ones, thank you for taking on such a challenge.”