MORE than 80 cyclists rode through North-East towns as part of a sponsored ride which has raised thousands of pounds for charity over the last 20 years.
The Big Butterwick Bike Ride, which is organised in aid of Butterwick Hospice Care, attracted 84 riders who cycled through Stockton, Elton, Long Newton, Sadberge, Bishopton, and Redmarshall.
The event, which is now in its 19th year, was founded by local man Brian Hutchinson, who wanted to give something back to the hospice that cared for his beloved sister, Christine, when she was terminally ill.
Brian said: “It’s great to still be getting a good crowd, and good weather again! It’s fantastic to be doing this for 19 years now, and great to have raised as much as we have, especially as the event was originally supposed to be a one-off.
“It’s a great social event for everyone, people look forward to meeting each other from year to year, and I just want to say thanks to everyone who makes it happen.”
Since he first set it up, the Big Butterwick Bike Ride has attracted hundreds of cyclists for the 26-mile route and raised more than £110,000 for the hospice, which is based in Stockton and Bishop Auckland.
Butterwick Hospice Fundraiser, Ashleigh Wood, said: “The Big Butterwick Bike Ride is just one of those things that has grown and grown over the years to become a real tour de force in our fundraising calendar.
“It’s such a great atmosphere of people coming together to do something amazing as a group, and harness that enthusiasm and community spirit to make such an incredible difference.
“On behalf of everyone at Butterwick Hospice Care, I want to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone that turned out to ride, to the Elm Tree Social Club for hosting us once again, and to our corporate supporters: Balfour Beatty for supplying lots of refreshments, to Co-op Funeral Care and Cook’s Café for providing lunch, and to Interflon for coming down to do our bike checks for participants.
“Most of all, I want to congratulate Brian on another fantastic event, and express our gratitude for all his amazing efforts over the last 19 years.”
Now Brian is hoping to make next year’s event one to remember in honour of its 20th anniversary.
“We want the 20th Big Butterwick Bike Ride to be the biggest bike ride we’ve ever done,” he said. “If you like to cycle, if you’re part of a club or a ride to work team, please get involved and help us reach 200 riders for our 20th anniversary, and help us make a lot of money for the hospice.”
The Big Butterwick Bike Ride will return in September 2023. Visit www.butterwick.org.uk for up-to-date information.
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