Two wheels and no engine: £1,600 raised at bicycle charity event

When Ash McPherson’s younger brother Greg was involved in a tragic motorcycle accident in June, he was left with life-changing spinal injuries and is still receiving long-term rehabilitation treatment at the Princess Royal Spinal Unit in Sheffield. 

Ash, a dispatcher at Norwich EOC, decided that he wanted to give something back to the organisations that had helped to get Greg, 24, the care and treatment he needed; so last week 50 riders took to the Lotus Cars test track in Hethel, Norfolk, in a sprint team time-trial event to raise money for the critical care unit at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA). 

“Around a week after the accident I decided that I wanted to organise a charity event involving two wheels, without engines, to show my gratitude in some way,” Ash said. “The treatment and care that Greg had received by this point had been excellent and this is why I decided show my appreciation and raise money for East Anglian Air Ambulance, who responded to the accident, and critical care at the N+N who looked after him for four and a half weeks.” 

The event last Thursday (14^th August) saw 13 teams of four riders each cycling together as a group to race their way to the finish of the 11 mile course (five laps of the race circuit). Team ARC Juniors, which included the Trust’s own Cycle Response Unit Co-ordinator Darren Rutterford, stormed home for the win with a time of 24 minutes and three seconds. 

As well as the race itself, participants and spectators were able to take part in the raffle which contributed to the £1,025 raised on the night. Added to online donations to the cause, Ash has to date raised an incredible £1,611 (with £500 going to the N&N and £900 going to the EAAA). 

Ash added: “I would also like to thank all my colleagues who volunteered as medics, marshalls and offered their support, and of course all of the riders who took part. We’re hoping to now make the ride an annual event with the next one preliminarily planned for June – here’s hoping we can make it even bigger and better next time around!” 

If you would like to make a donation please visit www.justgiving.com/ashmcpherson. Alternatively you can Text CYTT60 with your donation amount to 70070.