Bikers ride over 3,500km in memory of much loved gym member

AN OUTPOURING of support has helped a Saffron Walden high street gym raise over �600 for charity.

Wilburs set a challenge to keep an exercise bike turning for five days and nights to raise money in memory of a much loved member, Sally Tappin, who lost her battle with cancer this year.

Ben Stapleton, the gym’s manager, said: “Sally was a member here for five years so we thought it would be fitting to do our yearly challenge in her name.

“We asked her husband, Dave, who was happy for us to do something and suggested we raised money for St Clare Hospice because of the support it gave Sally during her battle with cancer.”

More than 65 people got involved with the challenge, which ran last week from August 27, to September 1, and not just from the gym – members of the public also got on the bike for the cause. So far, �600 has been raised and the money continues to pour in.

It was not an easy challenge but Ben said the support from the public made it possible.

“We wanted to ride the distance to Rome because that is where Sally and Dave wanted to go on holiday – we easily beat that by cycling 3,664.82 kilometres in total,” he said.

“The first three nights it was just the staff, but by the end of the week we had members signing up to do it.”