Intrepid Iona cyclists push Hospice over £1 million milestone

Wednesday, 13 July 2011

The bid to raise funds to build a new St Columba's Hospice soared past the £1 million milestone today (Wednesday 13 July), thanks to the efforts of 21 people who cycled from Edinburgh to Iona and raised over £40,000.

The cyclists completed the Hospice's Celtic Challenge event in May, a 200 mile cycle over five days from Edinburgh to the Isle of Iona. Their fundraising total was formally announced today, as many of the cyclists continued raising funds after they completed the challenge.

Lesley Christie, Director of Fundraising for St Columba's Hospice said:

"We are absolutely thrilled to have reached the £1 million milestone. We've been close to reaching £1 million for a few weeks now, but when we tallied up the total that the Celtic Challenge cyclists had raised we couldn't believe it. We thought the team might raise £20,000, so to reach over £43,000 is unbelievable, and we can't thank the cyclists and their supporters enough for everything they have done.

"We are indebted to the Edinburgh community for their support of our rebuild campaign so far. Every single pound of the £1 million we have raised has been donated by individuals, local businesses, organisations, charitable trusts, schools, community groups and churches, and we feel tremendously honoured to have them all behind us as we build our new St Columba's Hospice.

"St Columba's Hospice is a very special place that has touched the lives of thousands of people in our city and beyond. We're looking forward to creating our state-of-the-art Hospice that will care for more than 40,000 patients and their loved ones over the next 40 years. We are absolutely thrilled to have reached the £1 million milestone. We still have £6 million to raise so we hope that the community will continue supporting us as we start our next chapter."

The Celtic Challenge team set off from St Columba's Hospice on 18 May, cycling to Glasgow, Loch Lomond, Crianlarich, Oban, the Isle of Mull, from where they caught a ferry to the Isle of Iona to cycle to the finish line on 22 May. It is the first time the Hospice has held the event.

Lesley Christie said:

"The team had to cycle through some of the worst spring weather we've seen for a long time, but their determination and commitment to helping St Columba's Hospice saw them through. For many, the cycle was a very personal challenge and some of the team completed it in memory of their loved ones who had been cared by St Columba's Hospice in the past."

The Celtic Challenge will be held again next year from 23 - 27 May 2012, and people are invited to register their interest with St Columba's Hospice by contacting Michael Bauld on 0131 551 7707 or mbauld@stcolumbashospice.org.uk

The St Columba's Hospice Celtic Challenge is raising funds to build a new St Columba's Hospice. The new St Columba's Hospice will have more single patient rooms and more modern, spacious and family-friendly facilities, and will care for more than 40,000 patients over the next 40 years.

Ends

For more information please contact Isabelle Herlt, PR and Communications Manager, on 0131 551 1381 or iherlt@stcolumbashospice.org.uk

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