THE annual, sold-out 205-mile cycling event, Ride for Precious Lives, hosted by Children's Hospice Southwest (CHSW) in July will commemorate Edwards Vacuum's ten-year anniversary as the Gold Sponsor, writes Josie Cohen.

The event, which spans all three of CHSW's children's hospices in the Southwest area, is scheduled for July 7-9, where over 100 cyclists participate in the 205-mile, 3-day Ride for Precious Lives cycling event.

Starting at Little Harbour in Cornwall, they will visit Little Bridge House in Barnstaple along the way before finishing at Charlton Farm near Bristol. The event collected more than £250,000 the year before, and Edwards' sponsorship guarantees that both the participant registration price and event expenses are met.

Every year, workers of the firm participate in the three-day event. This year, 20 employees will cycle between the three hospices from July 7-9, and half of them will carry on to John O' Groats over an additional eight days.

A total of £44,000 has been set as the fundraising goal for the ‘Edwards squad’.

Neil Mehta, general manager, Edwards Clevedon said: “Edwards are proud and honoured to yet again support Ride for Precious Lives 2023. It is a humbling experience to meet the staff, families and children at these amazing centres and an uplifting experience to ride with people from all walks of life all with the common aim of supporting this great charity."

As participants log their training miles at the David Lloyd, Long Ashton in Bristol, fundraising has been in full force. With the aid of neighbourhood business owners and CHSW, Adrian Coombs, who is taking part in the Ride for Precious Lives for the tenth time, has earned almost £1500 for the Edwards team.

Adrian said: “The comradery is just first class, it’s not a race, you just have to get to start to finish. It gives you such an amazing feeling knowing you have done something to assist those children with short and precious lives. It’s a challenge, but if I can do it anyone can.”

Over 500 children with life-limiting and life-threatening diseases, as well as their families, are supported by CHSW almost completely via voluntary donations, which are crucial as it costs around £11 million to run the three hospice sites each year.

The head of Fundraising at CHSW, Tamara Downes, said: “We are delighted that Edwards have come on board once again as sponsors for our Ride for Precious Lives. Without companies like Edwards and supporters like Adrian we couldn’t keep our funding at the levels needed… We look forward to cheering them on throughout the weekend.”

Through this cycle event, CHSW hopes to help children in need of support and rehabilitation, by providing a multitude of services made possible by Edwards’ contributions.