CEO and Trustee join local riders on 170‑mile cycle challenge for Treetops

Ten local supporters have completed the iconic 172-mile Way of the Roses coast-to-coast cycling route, raising nearly £7,000 towards the vital care provided by Treetops Hospice.

The group included Treetops Hospice Chief Executive, John Knight, and long standing Trustee Yvonne Hobday, who took on the multi-day challenge from Morecambe, Lancashire, to Bridlington, Yorkshire.

The popular route is known for its stunning scenery and steep climbs as it crosses two counties.

The team were supported throughout the journey by Whittaker Workplace Solutions, whose generous sponsorship included branded team T‑shirts and a dedicated support vehicle. The company’s Managing Director, Nick Whittaker also went the extra mile by joining the team and taking on the challenge himself.

John Knight, CEO of Treetops Hospice, said: “It was a fantastic weekend spent sharing a demanding journey with a brilliant group of people, all while raising considerable funds for Treetops.

“There were certainly some challenging parts of the ride but knowing that every mile helps us provide vital end-of-life care, bereavement support and wellbeing services for local people kept us all going.

“Thank you to everyone who donated, encouraged the riders and followed our journey.”

Trustee Yvonne Hobday, who has supported Treetops for over four years, spent 40 years working in social care before she retired, with much of her work taking place in the Erewash area where she first saw the impact of Treetops’ services on local families.

Her connection with the charity deepened when a close family member became terminally ill and chose to spend their final days at home. Treetops’ Hospice at Home support during that time made her decision to become a trustee even more meaningful.

Yvonne said: “Being a trustee over the last few years at Treetops Hospice has been a privilege. It is so rewarding to be part of such an amazing and caring organisation.

“Fundraising is crucial to providing palliative care to our local community and surrounding areas, so when the opportunity to actually take part in something that would raise funds presented itself, I found it hard to say no.

“I definitely underestimated the challenge, despite months of training before the event. However, the other participants and support team were incredibly encouraging along the whole 172 miles, and the feeling of accomplishment at the end was worth the effort and pain. The money raised made it all worthwhile.”

Last year, Treetops supported more than 2,100 patients and delivered over 34,000 hours of care across central and southern Derbyshire.

With statutory funding covering just 18.2% of its operating costs, the hospice relies heavily on fundraising events and community support to continue its work.

To find out more about Treetops Hospice’s challenges or events, visit its website: https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/get-involved/fundraising-with-treetops/events-and-challenges/