Cycling duo raise £3000 for Molly Ollys charity

Lodders’ partners Mike Wakeling and Alastair Frew have raised over £3000 for local children’s charity, Molly Ollys.

They joined around 50 cyclists on the charity’s 10th Anniversary Fundraising Cycle Ride, cycling 185 miles from York Castle to the Durham Ox near Warwick in three days.

So far, the charity has raised more than £70,000 from the event, which Molly Ollys will use to support its work supporting babies and children up to 18 who have life-threatening illnesses. It also supports their families, helping with emotional wellbeing, and providing gifts to individuals, and therapeutic toys and books to children and hospitals throughout the UK.

Rachel Ollerenshaw and her husband, Tim, set up Molly Ollys not long after their daughter, Molly, very sadly died from a rare kidney cancer.

Wow! What a ride!

After the event, Rachel said: “It is hard to put into words just how special the Cycle Ride was, but ‘Wow!’. What a ride that was!

“We hoped the event would be special to mark the 10th Anniversary of Molly Ollys, and it far exceeded our expectations on so many levels.

“A fantastic amount of money has been raised by a truly amazing group of people. This was a phenomenal team effort with so many highlights. The camaraderie between all the riders and support team made it a unique and very special few days. It was certainly a challenge, but Mike and Alastair with all the riders faced these head-on every one of the three days, looked out for each other and helped the team of riders to complete each day.

“It was very emotional for Tim and I seeing all the cyclists in their Molly Olly pink tops ride-in together to the finishing point to huge applause and a great welcome from family and friends,” she said. “Knowing why we were there, what everyone has achieved, and the difference it will make for the children we support, is truly humbling. Thank you to everyone – riders, support team, friends, family and all those who have donated. Mike, Alastair and all the cyclists should feel extremely proud.”

Lodders Mike Wakeling added: “Choosing to take part in the Molly Ollys Bike Ride was an easy decision. Molly was at school with my son Ben, and I know Tim and Rachel well. It was devastating when Molly was diagnosed aged just three with a Wilms tumour, and despite a long and brave five-year fight, she died in 2011.

“When I heard about the Bike Ride, I just wanted to take part and help raise funds to support Molly Olly and its team to continue their amazing work.

Rewarding

“The Ride was so rewarding, from the start line where we were waved off by Rachel, Tim and the Mayor of York, to when all the riders crossed the finish line three days and 185 miles later.

“We cycled through some of Britain’s most beautiful countryside in Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Warwickshire, including the Peak District – as well as took on many, many hills!”

“It was a pleasure to take part, and a pretty humbling experience,” added Alastair.

JustGiving

For more information and to support Mike and Alastair with their fundraising for Molly Ollys, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/molly-ollys-lodders