Tennis club team to take on cycling challenge

Cyclists from Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis and Squash Club (WLTSC) are planning to field the largest team in this year’s Aberdovey Bike Ride as they look to raise money for a cause very close to their hearts. The ride is taking place on 15 June and sees cyclists take on the 105 mile route from Wolverhampton to Aberdovey in Wales.

WLTSC already has over 40 riders in training for the ride, from which all funds raised will be shared between the Giles’ Trust and the Critical Care Unit, both based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB).

The team were inspired to raise money for QEHB Charity following the treatment that much-loved club member Robert Marshall received in critical care at the hospital before passing away at the age of 57 last November.

The Giles’ Trust, a part of QEHB Charity, conducts research into brain tumours at the hospital, and this is a cause that has particular importance to the team.

Ryan Hughes, nephew of WLTSC Operation Manager Marc Hughes, was diagnosed with a brain tumour two years ago but has made excellent progress following surgery and has now been given the all-clear.

“This time last year was very difficult as Ryan was awaiting his operation and when we did the Aberdovey ride it was ‘Riding for Ryan’, raising funds for Brain Tumour Support,” says Marc.

“This year I am delighted to say that it is ‘Riding With Ryan’, because he and my brother Paul are both joining myself and our team to cover the 105 miles from Wolverhampton to Aberdovey, or 125 if you go over the sizable hill at Dinas!

“It should be a far more enjoyable event this year knowing that Ryan has made such amazing progress – he is a smashing lad and is the only child of my brother and his wife so it has been a tough time for all of the family over the last couple of years.

“We are really pleased to have so many people from WLTSC riding, particularly also in tribute to Robert who was a friend to so many and a very popular member of the club.

“We have over 40 people in the team already, which we are told is the biggest in the event so far, and have been getting in the saddle and getting the miles into the legs with a number of training runs every Sunday.”

Many other club members have been providing support for the event, with Steve Smith from The Studio Group, Gregg Davies from ima Financial Solutions and Chris Wright from Dunstall Park Garage all sponsoring the race day t-shirts.

Louise Archer, a sports masseur at the club, has also offered her services and will be working on the bad backs and sore legs that will undoubtedly afflict the riders as they take breaks during the ride which is expected to take approximately seven hours.

“Our target is to raise £5,000, and we have already had some great support from other club members,” adds Marc.

Justine Davy, Head of Fundraising at QEHB Charity, said: “It is fantastic that there is such a big team representing QEHB Charity at the upcoming Wolverhampton to Aberdovey Bike Ride. It’s wonderful to see a group of people coming together to ride, having been inspired by the treatment that their friends and family have received at QEHB.

“QEHB Charity works to provide added extras for patients and staff at the hospital, including providing cutting-edge equipment and research. Since it was established, the Giles’ Trust has funded research into brain tumours at the hospital. Thanks to the generosity of the donors, the Trust has been able to fund the post of a research nurse who has been working on research trials at the hospital, helping to improve outcomes for patients with brain tumours.

“On behalf of the Charity, I would like to wish all of the riders from WLTSC the very best of luck for their ride on 15 June!”

If you would like to support the WLTSC riders and help them to reach their fundraising goal, please click here.

If you’ve been inspired to take on a cycling event of your own, head to virtualvelo.org where you can sign up for QEHB Charity’s amazing new event that sees you cycle 500 or 1,000 miles in your own time to raise money for patients at the hospital.