EPIC CYCLE CHALLENGE
This April, our Assistant Head (Boarding and Pastoral Care) & Head of EAL, Sarah Shanks, is pulling on her cycling Lycra for charity and stepping out of her comfort zone, by taking on an epic cycling challenge.
Sarah, with five good hockey-playing friends, (named The Chicks with Sticks) are stepping off the hockey pitch and picking up their bicycles to raise money for the new Cancer Centre at the RHU, part of the Forever Friends Appeal. Their aim is to raise £6,000 by challenging themselves on two wheels, riding the width of the UK, from St David’s in Pembrokeshire, to Lowestoft in Suffolk. They are aiming to complete this 420 mile cycle over the course of 8 days, setting off on the 4th April.
As a group of working mothers, on the other side of 40, they all have their fair share of day-to-day challenges. However, none is as big as the cancer battle one of their six is currently facing. Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November 2016, Sally was treated at the RUH and has nothing but praise for the treatment, care and support she received, Sally successfully fought this disease with the most amazing courage and a great sense of humour. Despite this, it has returned and she once again turns to the RUH to help.
Sarah says, “The RUH are creating what they believe will be the best cancer centre for a district general hospital in the UK and it would be a great privilege to support to this cause. Why have we chosen cycling? None of us are cyclists, with one of us having barely ridden a bike for 25 years! However, we wanted a challenge, something that we would have to work really hard at. This West to East cycle challenge was something that we felt would be tough, but one we could achieve. We were inspired by the Four Mums in a Boat, four amazing women who showed that with determination, planning and team work, you really can achieve anything”.
Warminster School will be supporting ‘The Chicks with Sticks’ by holding a Mufti Day on the 1st March alongside a number of other schools in Warminster who are supporting on this day. Sarah goes on to say “We are also hosting a quiz night on the same evening in Warminster and if you would like to enter a team, please do let me know. On Thursday 28th February, some of the Chicks will be at the RHU hosting a cake sale. I will be making cakes for the sale, however if any of you fancy making some cakes and goodies, I would welcome any donations to sell please and would need cakes to be handed in to me by Wednesday 27th February”.
The Chicks with Sticks have a Just Giving page and would be very grateful for your support. We look forward to following them on their cycle challenge!