Preston pair aim to bike 200 miles in one day to raise money for St Catherine’s Hospice

Simon (left) with Steve (right). — Simon Parisi (left) with Steve Hackett (right).

Two men from Preston are aiming to raise £20,000 for St Catherine’s Hospice in memory of two people close to them.

Simon Parisi and Steve Hackett, both 60 years old, plan to embark on a 325km (202 miles) bike ride from New Longton to High Wycombe in just one day.

The big cycling challenge will take place on Saturday 24 August with Simon and Steve set to begin in the early hours of the morning and be in the saddle for around 16 hours.

Simon said: “There’s not many people in Preston who aren’t touched by St Catherine’s and the work they do.”

Russ Weaver was Si’s ‘dear friend and neighbour’ he was also the former Chief Superintendent at Lancashire Police. He died last year after a long battle with cancer.

St Catherine’s is also a charity close to Steve’s heart. His mum, Jean Hackett, was diagnosed with cancer and passed away earlier this year after being cared for by the charity in her home.

Both men are used to long bike rides. Simon and his son rode 130 miles last year for a fundraiser, raising £3,500.

However, this ride is their hardest challenge yet. Simon’s wife, Clare, who is going to be the designated support driver thinks they’re both ‘bonkers’.

Simon added: “We’re quietly confident but still a bit worried.

“I’m expecting a lot of pain. The weather will make a big difference but whatever it’s like, it’ll still be a big challenge for us both.”

The pair’s fundraising target is £20,000, the cost to run the hospice for a day, with £7m needed to run the charity each year.

The challenge will take place on 24 August.

Thanks to corporate and personal sponsors, Simon and Steve have already hit 60% of their target, but hope to raise ‘as much as possible’.

The Fun Experts, Brown & Co, Back Care Solutions and C&W Berry Ltd have all donated to the cause, along with friends and family.

Nicky Hodgkiss-Cook, Director of Marketing and Engagement at St Catherine’s said: “We’re so grateful to Si and Steve for raising money for St Catherine’s. It costs £7.6 million to provide our service to local people each year, only 25% of that comes from the NHS. Without the support of our community, we just couldn’t provide the services that help people experience quality of life to the end of life.

“Raising money in memory of someone is a really special way of creating a legacy for them. It helps others experience the care that they and their loved ones received at such a difficult time.”

St Catherine’s cares for patients and families across Chorley, Preston and South Ribble who are affected by life-shortening conditions like cancer, motor neurone disease and heart failure.

You can donate to the challenge through their JustGiving Page here.

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