Get back in the saddle for Les Bourgs

30 Rides in 30 Days is run by Ian Brown’s Cycle Shop, and only has a limited number of entry spots.

Cycle shop managing director Ian Brown said the fundraiser drew lots of supporters each year.

‘In 2008 when 30 rides was launched, we were very fortunate with our formula,’ he said.

‘Since then we’ve changed very little. Cycling events and Les Bourgs Hospice have almost become synonymous.’

Les Bourgs Hospice’s fundraising administrator Liz Stonebridge thanked the team at Ian Brown’s, as well as the participants ‘who do the leg work'.

‘We get amazing publicity from the cycling jerseys alone, it makes it our biggest fundraising event each year,’ she said.

Its new chief executive officer Rob Jones is taking part for the first time.

‘It’s new to me, but I do love cycling and the community aspect of it. I’m really looking forward to it,’ he said.

‘I think in Guernsey there is always some personal connection to the hospice and that’s what draws people in to doing it.

‘We have so many people supporting in many different ways, we recently had 12 Bays of Christmas.

‘It’s another opportunity to get outside in the fresh air with friends or family.

‘Every pound raised makes a difference and I’m certain it will be warmer by then than it is now,’ said Mr Jones.

He said that Les Bourgs Hospice was in a unique position where most people on the island were affected by the work done by the staff in some way. It provides respite and end of life care for its patients, which costs about £1.75m. every year.