A group of eight friends from Ilkley are preparing to take on an extraordinary endurance challenge this spring — cycling over 300 miles, on and off road, across some of the UK’s toughest terrain to raise vital funds for two deeply personal causes.
Setting off from Aviemore on Saturday 16 May, the team will ride 300 miles over 7 days, tackling an incredible 5,710 metres of climbing before finishing at Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland.
Their goal is to raise £5,710 — £1 for every metre climbed on this challenging route.
But this is far more than a physical challenge. At the heart of the journey is a powerful story of resilience, friendship and recovery.
The ride has been inspired by Ilkley-based athlete Sue Booth, a highly respected fell runner and mountain biker, whose life changed dramatically following a serious cycling accident in January 2024. Sue suffered devastating injuries, shattering her tibia and fibula. What followed were months in an external frame, multiple operations, and a long, demanding period of rehabilitation.
While the physical injuries were severe, the mental impact of such a life-changing event proved equally challenging. During her recovery, Sue received support from Day One Trauma Support, a Leeds-based charity that provides practical and emotional support to people affected by major trauma, including counselling, peer support and mentoring.
Sue said:
“Day One made a huge difference at a time when everything felt uncertain, the physical recovery is one thing, but the mental side of trauma can be overwhelming. Having people who understand that journey is invaluable.”
Despite moments when it seemed she might never ride again, Sue has shown extraordinary determination. Now, against the odds, she is preparing to take on this ambitious challenge alongside her friends, not only as a personal milestone, but as a way to give back and help others facing life-changing trauma.
The team is also raising funds for Hospice Africa, an organisation dedicated to improving the delivery of palliative care in Africa. Currently, less than 10% of Africans have access to pain relief and palliative care when they need it.
The charity was founded by the late Dr Anne Merriman, a pioneer widely regarded as the “Grandmother of Palliative Care in Africa”. Through her work, she transformed access to pain relief and compassionate end-of-life care for thousands of patients, while training healthcare professionals from across the African continent.
The connection is deeply personal. The trip has been co-organised by a close friend of Dr Merriman, Dr Kate Eldred, who was volunteering in Uganda at the time of Sue’s accident, Kate said:
“The contrast was stark, seeing the limited access to pain relief and care in Uganda while Sue was receiving world-class trauma support in the UK was incredibly moving. This ride is about recognising that difference and doing something to help.”
While the two charities operate in very different contexts, the team is united by a shared purpose: to support people facing life-changing trauma and to highlight inequalities in access to care. Kate added:
“This challenge is about resilience in the face of adversity, it’s about friendship, support and using our experience to help others — whether that’s someone recovering from a serious injury here in the UK or a patient in need of pain relief in Uganda.
“We will ride as friends. As a team. For something bigger than ourselves.”
The team is calling on the local community and beyond to support their journey and help them reach their fundraising target.
Donations can be made online via: https://www.justgiving.com/team/hope-on-two-wheels2
You can also follow the team’s progress on the route and share their journey on Instagram: hopeontwowheels_charityride
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