A pair of kind-hearted cyclists from Hull and Hessle are taking on a 320-mile fundraising challenge in support of two local charities.
Chris Straker, aged 67 and from Hull, and Kevin Rennison, aged 66 and from Hessle, will be pedaling from Edinburgh to Beverley during August. The pair are taking on this sponsored cycling challenge in support of homelessness charity Emmaus Hull & East Riding and Chasing Rainbows, a local pregnancy and baby loss charity.
Chris said: “Both charities work with people at a point in their lives where support and a listening ear make all the difference. We hope that any money raised will help make their missions even more impactful.”
Chris and Kevin are aiming to start the charity ride on Monday 11 August and finish on Friday 15 August. The pair have plotted a route from Edinburgh to Beverley that will cover around 320 miles, with stops including Dunbar, Alnwick, Durham and Whitby.
Kevin added: “The ride is a big challenge on a personal level but the charities we will be riding for are deserving of wider recognition and support. We hope that any publicity we can generate by doing the ride will help with that recognition.”
Emmaus Hull & East Riding provides a home, training, work opportunities and individual support to people who have experienced homelessness. In addition to their residential community in Hull, Emmaus also delivers an outreach service, providing direct support to people who are street homeless.
Stephanie Dixon, Director of Emmaus Hull & East Riding, said: “Everyone at our community is very grateful to Chris and Kevin for taking on another fundraising cycle ride in support of our charity. We send our very best wishes to them both for their journey and will be following their daily updates with interest.”
Chasing Rainbows is a charity supporting women and their partners going through baby loss, infertility and miscarriage. Based in Hull and East Riding, the charity encourages people to feel less alone during pregnancy and baby loss, providing mental health support through peer support experiences.
Samantha Catanach, Founder of Chasing Rainbows, said: “As a small local charity we are always so grateful when someone chooses to fundraise for us, as it’s personal. Fundraising is always so helpful but the raising of awareness is so important for a charity like ours that is campaigning to make baby loss and infertility less of a taboo subject. To have two men doing it is also great for the baby loss community! Good luck and thank you, it means a lot.”
To find out more and support Chris and Kevin’s sponsored cycle ride, visit www.givewheel.com/fundraising/7781/sponsored-edinburgh-to-beverley-cycle-ride