As our usual Pat's Summer Party unfortunately cannot go ahead this
year, due to Covid restrictions, 3 of our committee members Vic Sedlak (70) and Andrew Copsey (53) from Ben Rhydding and Geof Ashton (65) from Burley Woodhead are setting off on an epic bike ride  from Lands End to John O'Groats. It will entail approximately 53,000 feet of climbing across a 1,000 mile journey hoping to raise lots of money for Save The Children.

The first Pat's Party took place in 2004. Pat Evans decided she wanted to do something to help the children caught up in the Iraq war.
She decided Save The Children was the charity that hit the mark, organised a party in a neighbour's field with the help of her family and friends, and raised £700.

Pat was diagnosed with cancer that Autumn, and died the following March. In the many hours of talk through that dark winter, she would focus on what the rest of the family might do, how life would turn out for us. She urged us to keep 'the little party' going. Since then we - her family and friends - have organised a summer musical festival party, and an autumn bonfire, in her memory each year. Thousands of people have come to the events.

The funds raised and charities supported
We have now raised over £100,000 for Save the Children since Pat first had the idea to start the party. We have also supported local causes such as Ben Rhydding Scouts who help with the Party set up. We also donated £5,000 to build a classroom at a nursery school in The Gambia and continue to fund its annual running cost.

COVID19 impact
The 2020 Summer Party, and bonfire, fund raising events were unfortunately cancelled in light of the pandemic.
Clearly the vital work of Save the Children, and the other worthy causes Pat’s Party supports, has not diminished by virtue of the pandemic

The 2021 fund raising events
Sadly the summer 2021 event has also been cancelled due to the pandemic. The Committee has looked at other events that could help raise funds for the charities and worthy causes we support.Three of the Committee have offered to undertake a sponsored bicycle ride from Land’s End to John o’ Groats..

Land’s End to John o’ Groats sponsored bicycle ride
The event will take place between 25th July and 8th August, with 14 days of riding and 1 rest day.
The route will take the fund raisers through Dartmoor, Cheddar Gorge, The Malvern Hills, the Trough of Bowland, Galloway, Loch Lomond, Glencoe and the Great Glen. If all goes to plan, the cyclists will cover 1000 miles in two weeks [most days will be 70-75 miles] and climb over 50,000 feet of moors, fells and glens.

By donating today, together we can support children and young people across the world to rebuild their lives.