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11 July 2006  

A local man has visited a children’s hospital radio station almost a month to the day after he completed an exhausting 165 mile bike ride in aid of the Newcastle branch of the charity. Stuart Hall (pictured above with daughter Sarah), who works at TNT Durham completed the challenge from Walney Island in the Irish sea to Sunderland – some 165 Miles. His efforts were to raise money to help sick children at Newcastle RVI.

Stuart said of the ride

“Myself and 16 other friends took part. The main sponsors were my friends and family, colleagues from TNT Durham and our Head office in Atherstone and a special mention must be given to the committee and members of Stanley Central Club who donated a huge amount of money.

I chose Radio Lollipop after seeing an article about the charity in the local paper, the Evening Chronicle. In the article, the volunteers mentioned that they spend around £! per prize for the children on the wards. I thought that if I got £1.00 for every mile I would have been over the moon. But to raise £1125 is beyond belief. (That’s a lot of toys and a lot of happy kids)!

With reference to the ride, we started at Walney at around 0930am on Friday 19th May and rode to our first break at Grange over sands 28 miles in. The worst thing about this part was the fact Grange over Sands is on the Coast, so you didn’t think you had gone anywhere because you weren’t heading inland. We continued on the first day to
Kendal.

The next day in pouring rain the track took us east to Tebay and on to Kirby Steven before then the 5 mile climb to Tarn Hill (The Highest Pub in Britain), Unfortunately I was so cold on top of the moors I could not stop for a beer! The second day ended at Barnard Castle.

65 Miles in one day is probably the hardest thing I have ever done.

We woke to a sunny day on the Sunday a bit stiff but confident to complete as this was the last day. We travelled through Hammstely Forest and on to Durham. With only 9 miles to go, the heavens opened and not for the first time I got soaked to the skin. Freezing cold with 1 mile left, the team had 2 punctures and due to the horrible weather my group decided to carry on to the finish. The rest of the group completed 15 minutes later.

My wife Gillian and my daughter Emily were there to cheer me in but the cold and rain meant the occasion was not as I had hoped. However the sense of achievement was immense. I must finish on a note that at times during very difficult conditions like banks, pouring rain, wind and hail I did think of the kids the money will help as they face an edurance challenge of a different kind.”

Stuart came into the studio during Radio Lollipop’s Children’s Cancer Radio Week to meet some of the volunteers. He also had the chance to meet Abbie, one of the children from the cancer ward who was visiting the studio for the day.

“I enjoyed coming into the studio and especially enjoyed meeting Abbie. IT really puts things into perspective and makes it all feel worthwhile”.

Radio Lollipop Newcastle provide play, comfort and care to children in six wards at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, including those with severe burns, childhood cancer, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, post-surgery patients, those awaiting organ transplants and the children’s general wards. Their service is entirely voluntary and benefits some of the sickest children from all over the North East. Ward rounds take place on Tuesday and Friday evenings from 5-7.30pm and involve games, crafts and prizes for the children.

Radio Lollipop volunteer Helen Hudspith said of the fundraiser. “It costs around £6000 per year to keep a Radio Lollipop station running. We were incredibly pleased with the amount that Stuart raised because we know exactly how far that kind of money can stretch to cheer up sick children. The bike ride was a very strenuous endurance test for Stuart and we are very proud on behalf of the children that he chose to do it for Radio Lollipop Newcastle.”

If you are interested in helping Radio Lollipop, new volunteers and fundraising events are welcomed and supported by the charity. Roadshow music can also be offered for school and corporate events at a minimal charge by some stations.