A KIND-HEARTED dad has peddled his way to raising almost £3,000 for a Worcester charity following the end-of-life care they provided his daughter.
Chris Wilkinson recently took on the gruelling 112-mile Ring of Kerry, in Southwest Ireland, to raise funds for Acorns Children’s Hospice and in memory of his daughter Anna, who died from a brain tumour last January at just 16-years-old.
Anna was taken to a dedicated part of the Bath Road hospice, where Chris and his family were able to spend precious final moments with her.
Joining Chris on the ride were friends Mark Tanser and Yvette Pygott, with Janine Tanser and Chris’s wife Wendy Wilkinson forming the support crew.
“Anna was given a beautiful bedroom and we were encouraged to take some of her belongings with us to make it just like her own room,” said Chris.
“We visited her as often as we liked whilst the funeral arrangements were made and this was an incredible support for us and our family.
“We know Acorns relies on fund-raising to continue, so the cycle ride was just a small way of giving back and saying thank you.
“The staff at Acorns were there to comfort and support us whenever we needed it, night or day. This family support is still continuing and has been a constant source of strength and comfort for us,” he added.
Lynne Carter, head of fund-raising at Acorns, said: “We’re so incredibly grateful to Chris and his team for taking on this challenge and for the money already raised.
“Thanks to his generosity we’ll be able to provide more care and support to families going through similar situations.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/myc-cycleforacorns to donate or for more information.