AN INTREPID hospice supporter took on the challenge of a lifetime by cycling more than 200 miles across Africa in memory of her late husband.
Ann Groves, from Droitwich, raised nearly £2,300 for St Richard’s Hospice when she joined a team of fund-raisers on the Kilimanjaro to Ngorongoro Crater Cycle Ride.
Between October 15 and 23 this year, Ann cycled 217 miles from the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro through national parks and the lands of the Maasai tribes in Tanzania, seeing elephants and giraffes on the way.
Ann’s husband, Nick, had kidney cancer and spent the last few days of his life at St Richard’s Hospice.
She said the support given to Nick and the whole family was amazing, describing the atmosphere as calm, cheerful and relaxed.
Speaking of the challenge, Ann said: “Some of the off-road cycling I found brutal with miles of white rock followed, or preceded by soft sand which, at times necessitated walking short distances.
“One day we had the most beautiful cycle on hard sand through Maasai villages where we were greeted with smiles and waves from children and adults alike as they herded cattle, goats and donkeys used for collecting water.”
She added the other cyclists were fantastic and the organisation was exceptional with guides cycling alongside them at both the front and back.
“All 24 of us rode over the finish line together, an emotional ending as we remembered the different reasons we each had for taking on this challenge.
“This was a trip I will always remember.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Ann-Groves1 to donate to Ann’s fundraising challenge.
