Team takes to road in memory of Ella

Stephen Reddicliffe, alongside members of his family, will make the 
65-mile journey from his home in Windsor to Bognor Regis in memory of his great-niece Ella Robinson on Saturday (September 15).

The 51-year-old is raising funds for the Sussex Snowdrop Trust, which supported three-year-old Ella and her family when she was suffering from an inoperable brain tumour.

Stephen is determined to raise money so the charity, which supports young children and their families with life limiting diseases, can continue to help other youngsters and their families from across the area.

The trust provides specialist paediatric nurses and the support team offers, practical, emotional and financial support.

It also enables children to be cared for in their own homes.

Stephen said: “The Sussex Snowdrop trust helped Ella and her family after she was diagnosed, they offered invaluable help and support and they continued to do so after Ella passed away.

“I hope we are able to raise money to help them do this for other families.

“Anything we can do will make such a big difference.”

Stephen, who is a keen bike rider, has been training hard for the journey.

“I regularly cycle, I do enjoy it. I have been practising regularly, going for 40-mile rides and I am going to move up to 50 miles,” he said.

“I cycle to work every day so I have been extending that journey to get a few extra miles in.

“The route I will take is pretty direct even though it is made up of B roads which is good. And I will have my family following in the support vehicle, our family car,” he added.

But for Stephen the ride is not a race, it is about finishing the task and raising as much money as possible.

“I think I will probably set off at 9am, I am not in a rush. For me it is not about racing to the finish and doing it in record time.

“It is about trying to raise as much money and awareness for the Sussex Snowdrop Trust as we possible can.

“I might be a bit sore afterwards, I might be tired and my legs might ache but that is nothing compared to what the children and the families the trust helps go through. A little bit of discomfort is a small price to pay.”

Stephen and his fellow riders expect to end their journey around 7pm at the Charlcroft Lane cemetery.

Stephen will then place a small token at Ella’s final resting place which he will have carried with him throughout the journey.

You can support Stephen and his team of riders at www.justgiving.com/Stephen-Reddicliffe

For more information on the Sussesx Snowdrop Trust you can visit the website www.thesussexsnowdroptrust.com