A nurse from St Christopher’s Hospice is set to cycle from Crystal Palace to the Palace of Versailles in France to raise funds for end-of-life care services.
Chris Mangar, a Clinical Team Lead at the South London hospice, will join a group of cyclists on the 280-mile journey in September.
The ride aims to raise £200,000 to help the hospice meet rising costs and growing demand for its services.
Mangar, who has worked at St Christopher’s for 11 years, has already launched his fundraising efforts with a bake sale at the hospice’s Orpington site.
The 43-year-old commented: “Every day I see the difference the team at St Christopher’s make across South London in delivering world-class palliative and end-of-life care to the people who need it and supporting their loved ones too.”
He is encouraging others to sign up for the ride, which departs on 10 September and finishes in Versailles on 14 September.
He has worked at St Christopher’s Hospice for 11 years.
The route will take cyclists through Surrey, Sussex, and northern France, passing scenic villages and historic towns before reaching the famous palace. Seventeen riders, including hospice staff like music therapist Seán Kenny, have signed up so far, with the hospice hoping to recruit around 50 participants.
St Christopher’s, like many hospices, is facing financial challenges following the pandemic. A £100 million government boost last year provided short-term relief, but the hospice continues to push for long-term funding solutions.
Information evenings for potential participants will be held on 23 January in Orpington and 30 January at the Sydenham site. The deadline to register is 10 March 2025.
Past hospice fundraising rides have included routes to Paris and Amsterdam, but this is the first event of its kind since before the pandemic.
For more details or to sign up, visit https://bit.ly/StChristophersBikeRide.