Father-of-two’s cycle ride in memory of beloved nan
A FATHER of two cycled 100k with six friends in memory of his beloved nan, grandad and father-in-law.
Tom Burbridge, from Redditch, decided to organise the ride as a way to honour their memory and raised over £2,100 for Primrose Hospice, a charity close to the family’s heart.
The team cycled through the Cotswolds visiting Evesham, Dumbleton, Stratford upon Avon and Bidford upon Avon on Saturday, August 24.
Cycling alongside Tom were Nick Robertson, Ian Sweeny, Mark Jowett, Alex Hulston, Adam Higgins and Richard Currier.
A welcoming party of about 50 people celebrated the team’s return with the 36-year-old calling it “a Burbridge and friends fundraiser”.
Tom explained the motivation for taking on the challenge:
“This year has been difficult with the death of my nan Molly Burbridge – my nan was the epitome of fun and laughter – and is missed very much.
“Additionally, over the past few years I have lost my grandads and father-in-law who were both great people and I think it’s time to do something to honour them and raise money for something she loved and meant a lot to them all – Primrose Hospice.”
Training has been particularly hard for the Senior Project Manager but he has a touching way of overcoming all the challenges he faced.
He said: “Training was hard. I have two young, beautiful children and time away from them while doing the four hour training sessions was tough.
“However, I listened to songs that reminded me of the people I was doing this for.
“The right song always seems to come on when the training was at its hardest.”
Tom explained he chose the charity because it looked after many of his family members over the years.
His nan Molly Burbridge also worked in Primrose Hospice’s Headless Cross shop.
“Primrose is a fantastic local charity. It means the world because I know how much it gives back to people like me.”
Sarah Harris, community fundraiser for Primrose Hospice, said: “What a lovely way for Tom to remember his nan, Molly, and his granddad and father-in-law.
“Tom’s cycle ride helped to raise vital funds which means we can continue to provide free support for patients and bereaved families in Redditch and Bromsgrove.
“We want to thank him and everyone who took part in the cycle ride as part of ‘Team Burbridge’.”
Primrose Hospice must raise £1.75million annually to keep its service free for people with life-limiting conditions and their families living in north east Worcestershire.
To sponsor Tom, log on to http://www.justgiving.com/Ride-Redditch-2019.
