A TEAM of doctors and friends are taking on the challenge of cycling around Cumbria, for the second year in a row.
On Friday, July 29 the BEEP Doctors team will set off from Penrith and cover the 260-mile journey around the county over four days, arriving back at BEEP Headquarters on Tuesday, August 3.
In 2021 six cyclists raised over £2,000 for the BEEP Doctors charity, but with sponsorship from The Lakes Free Range Egg Co Ltd in 2022, the team hopes to smash its previous amount and raise even more vital funds, which will go towards this year’s fundraising campaign to purchase four new emergency vehicles.
The cycling challenge is part of a fundraising push from the charity, which is embarking on a month-long summer roadshow, which began its tour on June 27.
The roadshow car and trailer will support the cycle team on part of its route, before heading to the Cockermouth Show on Saturday, July 30 and then to other events and shows around the county during July and August.
The cyclists will depart at 9am on July 29 from Penrith, at their headquarters on Cromwell Road, before heading through Appleby, down to Ulverston via Kendal, over to Gosforth, then on to Silloth, up to Carlisle and Brampton and back to Penrith finishing on August 3.
Route:
Day 1: Penrith HQ to Dent via Langwathby, Dufton, Appleby to Sedbergh
Day 2: Sedbergh to Ulverston, stopping at Ye Olde Fleece in Kendal, for lunch
Day 3: Ulverston to Gosforth
Day 4: Gosforth to Silloth
Day 5: Silloth to Bowness/Carlisle/Brampton and back to Penrith.
In 2021, the team endured soaring temperatures during their challenge, as the UK baked in a heat wave.
Dr Theo Weston, chair of the BEEP Doctors charity and lead cyclist said: “Last year really was a challenge for all of us who took on the cycle ride.
“Not only did we have to ride 260 miles, but the heat was unbearable, so we’re hoping for cooler temperatures this time around. However, this year we have taken things up a notch with sponsorship and support from lots of Cumbrian organisations.
“We’ve also got the roadshow taking place alongside us too, so we hope to really increase awareness of the charity and raise lots of money too!”
In 2021, the BEEP Doctors team raised over £145,000 for essential lifesaving equipment for the charity. This year their target is to raise £250,000 to ensure the future sustainability of the charity and raise funds for four new emergency vehicles.
“Over the years our charity has expanded to reach all corners of Cumbria, which is why we decided to cycle around the county,” said Dr Westmon.
“The charity began in 1994 with 3 doctors, now we have 11 doctors who cover the whole of Cumbria. This means our costs have gone up, as each doctors needs equipment and specialist training to ensure we can provide the best pre-hospital care to patients.”
Working closely with the Ambulance Service and Great North Air Ambulance, the BEEP doctors provide specialist emergency pre-hospital care and intervention previously only available once a patient reaches hospital.
That could be on the roadside at the scene of a road traffic accident or during a life-threatening emergency.
The doctors are all unpaid, on call 24/7 and are not funded by the NHS, so donations, fundraising events and grants keep the charity going and to buy the vital equipment they need
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