Foulness Ride Record Turnout

A record number of 2,133 cyclists took part in this year's Foulness Island Bike Ride organised by the Rotary Club of Thorpe Bay.

Both the MOD and DERA gave permission for access to this protected area, and throughout the day the island was absolutely alive with bikes and riders of every age taking maximum advantage of the unique 26-mile course.
The wheels were set in motion this year by Southend mayor Howard Briggs and Rochford District Council chairman Sylvia Lemon as the throng of cyclists began their charity challenge which was for riders to complete three laps of picturesque Foulness Island, owned by the Ministry of Defence.

Among those taking part was Thomas Doherty, seven, whose five-year-old brother, Sam, has cerebral palsy and receives treatment at Southend Hospital. He was joined for the ride by his dad Kevin, 34, and mum Carole, 32, of Armagh Road, Shoebury. Kevin said:
"Thomas really wanted to do this ride, so his mum got training and joined him this year. He has been telling all his friends he's raising money for his brother, and has collected a lot of sponsorship."

The annual hit charity event is organised by the Thorpe Bay Rotary Club -and was praised by national Rotary president Norman Proctor when he visited Thorpe Bay in May.

Sponsorship raised from this year's ride will be given to Southend Hospital's Building Blocks Appeal. The appeal, spearheaded by the Southend Hospital Foundation, hopes to raise £250,000 to build a new centre for children with disabilities in Kingsdown School.

Proposals for a paediatric assessment suite at the hospital's Neptune Unit are also in the pipeline.

The Rotary Club are now urging all riders to send in their sponsorship forms and collections so that the Children's Centre Building Blocks Appeal at Southend Hospital can benefit as soon as possible. Thrilled Rotarian Nigel Gayner who organised the event said:
"We are absolutely thrilled with the number of cyclists that took part and hopefully this will enable us to make our biggest ever donation to the hospital charity."

Superintendent Michael Thwaites was one of the many from Essex Police who mounted their bikes for the event. He is also a trustee of the Southend Hospital Foundation, the charity which is tasked with raising the £250,000. He said:
"Both the Rotary Club and the island riders have put in a major effort for our community and I cannot thank them enough for their fantastic support."